IPL 2025 Qualification scenarios: How can CSK qualify for playoffs after their 9-wicket loss to MI?

Modified Apr 21, 2025 00:34 IST

2025 IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Source: Getty — Chennai Super Kings - Source: Getty

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) played their eighth game of IPL 2025 on Sunday (April 20) when they took on the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium. The Super Kings slumped to their sixth defeat in the tournament, this time being beaten clinically by nine wickets.

This loss is CSK's sixth this season, extending their stay in last place on the points table. Considering 16 points is the minimum threshold to qualify for the playoffs, they have six games remaining in the tournament and will have to win all of them to reach the next stage. An impediment for them will be their net run rate of -1.392, which they will have to improve in the coming games with big wins.

If the minimum number of points to qualify for the playoffs comes down to 14, CSK can afford a loss, but they will have to be wary that this loss doesn't take a hit at their already poor net run rate. They will have to win five out of their next six games, while ensuring substantial margins that boost their net run rate.

A blitz on debut from 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre (32 off 15) and half-centuries from Ravindra Jadeja (53* off 35) and Shivam Dube (50 off 32) saw the Super Kings post 176/5 in 20 overs. The Mumbai Indians made light work of this chase, as Rohit Sharma (76* off 45) and Suryakumar Yadav (68* off 30) put together 114 runs for the hosts to register a nine-wicket win.

CSK take on SunRisers Hyderabad in their next IPL 2025 encounter

After a demoralizing defeat against the Mumbai Indians, the five-time winners will shift their focus to their upcoming game against the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Friday, April 25. The last season's runners-up are only one spot above CSK, and are looking to meet all the aforementioned conditions to make it to the playoffs.

Should SRH lose to the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, they will slump to become the wooden spoon holders in the ongoing season. A loss for Chennai will diminish their chances of making it to the playoffs.

About the author

Lavil is a cricket journalist at Sportskeeda with an experience of over 4 years. He A Bachelor’s of Engineering degree holder in Electronics and Computer Science, he is a firm believer of verifying information from multiple websites, and always checks his sources' authenticity in order to provide his readers the most accurate information.

An ardent Team India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru fan, Lavil had his first tryst with cricket during his childhood and has grown up admiring how the sport brings people together over the years. He is a huge admirer of Mahendra Singh Dhoni due to the player's calm and collected nature. He would like to go back in time and revisit the 2011 ICC World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka if ever got his hands on a time machine.

Lavil, who used to play cricket at school level, has interviewed sporting personalities like Robin Uthappa, Leander Paes, Ankita Raina, Prashant Surve, and Des Buckingham so far in his career. He does not feel ODIs should be completely replaced with T20Is as he reckons every format has its own beauty.

In his free time, he watches Manchester United attempt to get back to their former glory days or plays FC 25.

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Edited by Parag Jain