IPL 2025: 'This is a Time You Find True Supporters' - Mike Hussey Reacts After CSK Suffer Fifth Straight Loss

Batting coach Michael Hussey has said the true supporters will be revealed when the team is at the lowest after the Chennai Super Kings suffered their fifth straight loss in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Friday (April 11).

CSK, one of the most successful franchise in IPL history alongside Mumbai Indians, are at an all-time low, following a comprehensive 8-wicket loss to the defending champions, the Kolkata Knight Riders, a defeat which is their third in the row at fortress - Chepauk.

Many hoped Mahendra Singh Dhoni's return to the helm as captain, replacing the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, would bring about a change in fortunes after registering one of their worst starts to the season. But the downward slide continued despite the return for Dhoni as a leader.

While Sunil Narine spun CSK to their lowest total at home - 103/9, the Knights gunned down the paltry 104-run target in just 10.1 overs. CSK now just sit one spot up from the bottom, courtesy of the sole victory in six encounters.

While their playoffs qualification hopes may be fading away, batting coach Hussey has assured that the "hurting" CSK are not yet willing to "put up the white flag " and added how the team can still scrape through to the eliminator.

"Well, this one hurts a lot. I mean, it really does. The players are hurting, and the support staff are hurting. And as I said earlier, the fans, I'm sure, are hurting with this one as well," Hussey said at his post-match press conference as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

"This is a time where you really find out who are your true supporters. We're certainly not putting the white flag up just yet. You only have to get in to scrape into that fourth [and final playoffs] place.

"In a big, long tournament like the IPL, it is about momentum. Now, certainly, the momentum is not with us at the moment whatsoever. We haven't been playing good cricket consistently. We definitely acknowledge that, put our hands up, and say that that is the fact at the moment. But that's not to say things can't turn around and can't turn around quickly."

Before the defeat to KKR, Chennai had never lost three successive home games at Chepauk. As CSK think tank faces intense scrutiny, Hussey believes the experienced leadership hierarchy can navigate the franchise through the turbulent phase.

"I just know Stephen Fleming. Obviously, he is a great coach. He will, really, and MS Dhoni... he's been a great captain for a long time as well. Ruturaj [Gaikwad] is still going to be around the team," Hussey added.

"I think they'll really try and bring this team as tight and as close together. They will make sure there's no fractures, make sure we're still sticking tight because I'm sure we're going to cop plenty of criticism from the outside and look, we deserve it. We haven't performed as well as we would have liked so far in the tournament. But from an inside, internal side of things, we've got to stick really tight."

CSK will hope rectify things quickly as they return to action in two days time to face Lucknow Super Giants in their next match at the BRSABV Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Monday (April 14).