IPL 2025: What Should CSK do For Remainder of The Season? Anil Kumble Provides Insights For MS Dhoni’s Side

Former India cricketer and JioStar expert Anil Kumble has offered insightful perspectives on Chennai Super Kings' team combinations and the path they should consider following their seventh loss of the IPL 2025 season.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's CSK on Friday (April 25) night suffered their fourth straight home loss, going down by 5 wickets to fellow strugglers Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

CSK once again fell short of posting a par score after the opening combination failed to make any contribution and the lower middle-order struggled to get moving in the middle overs of the innings.

Kumble's analysis emphasizes the need to revisit a successful opening partnership, optimize the batting order for a promising youngster, address the middle-order power vacuum, and strategically invest in their young talent while looking beyond their current key bowlers.

CSK took the game deep despite setting the target of 155 with only youngsters Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre, two replacement signings, showing real intent with swift knocks. CSK tried another new opening combination, having dropped Rachin Ravindra. But that test too was not a success.

Mhatre and Shaik Rasheed combo lasted for just one delivery as the latter fell in the first ball to Mohammed Shami. CSK has tried and tested several opening combinations, but did not go back to the pair that played a big role in their title-winning campaign in 2023.

What CSK should have done from the start of IPL 2025?

The former India captain Kumble felt that the tried and tested opening pair of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway should have been the way to go for CSK from the start of the season despite the Kiwi batter's recent dip in form.

Kumble highlights their proven track record, stating, "I felt Ruturaj and Devon Conway-despite Conway not being in the best of form-should've started together. That pair won CSK the title a couple of years ago."

While Rachin Ravindra is undoubtedly a talent, Kumble suggests a potential shift in his batting position, proposing, "Rachin Ravindra is a fantastic young talent, but in this format, he seems rushed-perhaps number three would've suited him better." This adjustment could allow Ravindra more time to settle and build his innings.

What should CSK do for the remainder of IPL 2025 and beyond?

Kumble pinpoints a crucial area of concern for CSK: the lack of power hitting in the middle order beyond Shivam Dube. This has been evident in their struggles to accelerate the scoring and finish innings strongly.

The introduction of Brevis and Mhatre into the playing XI is seen as a positive step in this direction. Kumble notes, "With Brevis and Mhatre now getting games, that's a positive." These youngsters have shown glimpses of their ability to provide the much-needed firepower.

Kumble's analysis extends to the bowling department, where he suggests that CSK needs to start thinking beyond Matheesha Pathirana. While Pathirana has been a key bowler, Kumble advocates for exploring other options, particularly Nathan Ellis.

He points out Ellis's experience and past success in death bowling, stating, "Nathan Ellis is an experienced death bowler who has delivered before, yet hasn't found a place after the first match." Given the remaining five games, Kumble believes it's an opportune time to give Ellis a consistent run and assess his potential role in the team's future plans.

Investing in Youth and Building for the Future:

With the playoff prospects becoming increasingly challenging, Kumble emphasizes the importance of utilizing the remaining matches to invest in young talent and begin building a strong foundation for the future.

"With five games left, it's the perfect time to give youngsters a decent run and start building for the future," Kumble said ast his approach aligns with the need for teams to evolve and identify their core players for the seasons to come.