IPL2025: ONCE UPON A TIME, DHONI RULED A DYNASTY CALLED CSK

CSK extincted for they played emotional cricket in an era of data-driven war rooms.

INTRODUCTION

The harsh reality for CSK - nostalgia doesn't win T20 matches in the era of 2025. It faced an existential choice: Radically Modernize or live in “All is Well” dunia.

Dhoni chose the latter for the dynasty that it so painstakingly built, but dynasties that don't evolve become archaeological sites.

WHAT EXTINCTED CSK?

1. CSK Believed in “Good Players” Over the Right Players

CSK's strategy dates back to 2018: “Get good cricketers. Trust their experience. Let them figure it out.” That worked then. But IPL 2025 is no longer about pedigree — it’s about role clarity, match-up precision, and high-impact bursts.

Extinction is written on the wall for those that refuse to acknowledge IPL cricket has fundamentally transformed. CSK should have either accepted it or accepted the new role as the IPL's participation trophy collector.

2.   Management Blinded by Nostalgia 

The management's refusal to bench beloved veterans for explosive young talent reveals it was more interested in sentiment than silverware. They were running a reunion tour while competitors ran professional T20 machines.

CSK’s playing XI looked like a retirement all-stars squad:

• Moeen Ali: Spin-hitter, but easily neutralized now

• Ajinkya Rahane: Great Test servant, but a 120 SR in T20?

• Jadeja + Ashwin: Still skilful, but offering more control than chaos

• MS Dhoni: Not even in the top 7 — basically a brand with gloves

No high SR top-order batter. No scary death-hitter. No express pacer. They’ve got names. But T20 is no longer a game of names — it’s a game of numbers and nerve.

3.   Batting Philosophy Straight Out of 2010 

CSK's approach of "building innings" and "calculated acceleration" was prehistoric when teams like Punjab and Bangalore targeted 100 runs in the powerplay. The middle overs became a cemetery for CSK's run rate while other teams maintained 10+ runs per over throughout.

4.   The Dhoni Cult Killed Innovation 

The blind faith in the "Thala way" had become CSK's biggest liability. While other teams deployed analytics teams that rival Wall Street firms, CSK operated on Dhoni's gut feelings and "character assessment." That was not leadership anymore – it was stubborn resistance to evolution.

5.  Dhoni the God in the Room — That was the Problem

Ruturaj Gaikwad was the captain. But he was not in control.Every time there's a tactical camera cut — it's MS.

And when a team is caught between two mindsets — the new-school quiet leader and the old-school war general — what one gets is...Confused cricket. Safe selections. No real reset.

Dhoni believed T20 was about keeping calm and trusting your players.But today’s T20 game rewards chaos, bold moves, and disruptive selections.

CSK lost that boldness. It was managing personalities, not optimizing performance.

6.  Veterans Jadeja + Ashwin = Control Without Impact

Let’s get sacrilegious for a second.

Ravindra Jadeja:

• Batting SR this season? Barely above 120.

• Not finishing games. Not dominating spin. Just... surviving.

Ravichandran Ashwin:

• Still sharp upstairs. But in terms of impact? No wickets in powerplay, no threat at the death.

• He’s bowling like it’s 2015. The game has moved on.

CSK’s spin attack was packed with wisdom — but not weapons.

In modern T20, wisdom without wickets is wallpaper.

Jadeja and Ashwin might be Test cricket legends, but in IPL 2025 they dragged their feet, they were like bringing knives to a gunfight.

T20 batters are chaos, clear boundaries at will, only bowlers that offer variations and deception can stop them.

The fielding of these two veterans had become a liability, the crucial runs leaked while athletic young fielders in other teams saved 15-20 runs per match

Where Are The Role Players?

While other teams wooed young chaos-makers:

• SRH has Abhishek Sharma & Nitish Reddy

• KKR has Salt & Raghuvanshi

• Punjab has Shashank Singh & Ashutosh

CSK’s opted for aging elegance, not explosive intent.

Where’s their Jaiswal?Where’s their Rajat Patidar?Where’s their backup plan after Conway’s injury?

CONCLUSION

CSK crumbled not because they were bad. But because they refused to evolve.

Legacy can win fans. But only adaptability can win games.

CSK became a dynasty with the most loyalty drowned in a dangerous myth: “Experience is everything.”

In 2025, that couldn’t be more wrong.

EPITAPH

Dynasty that once enjoyed most loyalty, most discipline, and the most love but now in ruins for failing to evolve

RESURRECTION

CSK can be resurrected if it embraces the uncomfortable truth that sentiment and tradition mean nothing against data-driven innovation and specialized talent, their trophy cabinet—like their tactical approach—will remain frozen in time. The yellow army just did not lose matches; they lost relevance in cricket's fastest-evolving format.