3 glaring issues CSK failed to address at the IPL 2025 auction ft. middle-order pace hitter

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were rather astute with their business at the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. After remaining inactive for most of the first few sets, the Men in Yellow went hard for their prime targets and ended up with a decent squad.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Noor Ahmad have joined forces with Ravindra Jadeja to form a fearsome spin attack, while Khaleel Ahmed and Anshul Kamboj will add some much-needed penetration in the powerplay. The Super Kings also managed to buy back the Kiwi duo of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra.

CSK's squad for IPL 2025: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rahul Tripathi, Shaik Rasheed, Deepak Hooda, Andre Siddarth, Devon Conway, MS Dhoni, Vansh Bedi, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, R Ashwin, Sam Curran, Rachin Ravindra, Vijay Shankar, Anshul Kamboj, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Noor Ahmad, Shreyas Gopal, Matheesha Pathirana, Khaleel Ahmed, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh, Nathan Ellis

At the same time, however, there are a few holes on the Chennai roster. That is the case for all teams, and while the five-time champions can be happy with their work in Saudi Arabia, there's always room for improvement.

On that note, here are three glaring issues CSK failed to address at the IPL 2025 auction:

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#3 CSK don't have a reliable death-bowling partner for Matheesha Pathirana

IPL 2023: Qualifier 1 - Gujarat Titans v Chennai Super Kings - Source: Getty

Matheesha Pathirana forms the backbone of the CSK pace attack, with his frightening pace and swing through the middle overs and at the death being one of the team's biggest weapons. However, the Super Kings didn't find a reliable death-bowling partner for the Sri Lankan at the IPL 2025 auction.

Nathan Ellis is one of the best death bowlers in the world, but he is likely to serve as Pathirana's backup. Khaleel, Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Mukesh Choudhary are the Indian pace options at CSK's disposal, but none of them are particularly reliable in the back half of the innings.

Sam Curran has had his moments as a death bowler, but his recent form hasn't been very encouraging. Pathirana might have too much on his shoulders during IPL 2025.

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#2 Chennai don't have a high-pace, hit-the-deck pacer through the middle overs

IPL 2023: Qualifier 1 - Gujarat Titans v Chennai Super Kings - Source: Getty

Under MS Dhoni, CSK weren't overly keen on high-pace fast bowlers. That had changed slightly in recent seasons, with Tushar Deshpande and Simarjeet Singh featuring for the Men in Yellow in IPL 2024.

However, for the upcoming season, the Super Kings don't have any bowlers of that ilk. Pathirana is a lethal weapon in the second half of the bowling innings, but having a bowler who can target opposition middle-order batters with bouncers would've helped CSK immensely.

Now, CSK will be entirely dependent on their spinners to get them through the middle overs. And while that should be possible at Chepauk, assuming turners are dished out, it might be a bit tough away from home.

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#1 The Super Kings don't have a quality pace hitter in the middle order

Rajasthan Royals v Gujarat Titans - IPL 2024 - Source: Getty

CSK's top four is fairly set, with Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube and either Rachin Ravindra or Devon Conway taking up those spots. In the middle order, though, Chennai lack a pace hitter.

Deepak Hooda and Vijay Shankar are the available options at No. 5, and the former has plenty of shortcomings against pace. While Shankar is a better option on that front, he certainly isn't an elite T20 batter.

The likes of Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni might have too much on their hands, and them coming up the order hasn't been a viable option for varying reasons.