While their key signings have added strength to both batting and bowling, certain concerns still remain that could affect their campaign.
Five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have set their sights on a historic sixth title and approached the IPL 2025 auction with a clear strategy.
Keeping their core players, they further improved their roster by securing 20 additional players, combining seasoned professionals with emerging talent to create a balanced team.
Also Read: CSK Playing XI, IPL 2025: Best Chennai Super Kings Playing 11, Player List and Full Squad
With their lineup now complete with 25 players, CSK have a squad equipped to meet the challenges of the upcoming season.
While their key signings have added strength to both batting and bowling, certain concerns still remain that could affect their campaign. Let’s delve into CSK’s top 3 weaknesses ahead of IPL 2025.
Reliance on Shivam Dube for power hitting
Chennai Super Kings have a deep batting line-up but Shivam Dube stands out as their main power hitter in the middle order. His boundary-clearing ability is crucial to maintaining the team’s momentum, especially in high-pressure situations during the upcoming IPL season.
However, the lack of alternative mid-order explosive options is a cause for concern. If Dube fails to deliver, the team could struggle to accelerate the scoring, which could impact their ability to capitalize on key moments in the game.
Lack of a reliable back-up wicketkeeper for Dhoni
Chennai Super Kings face a challenge without a reliable back-up goalkeeper for MS Dhoni. While Dhoni is a legend behind the stumps, his fitness or workload could limit his participation this season. The only alternative is Devon Conway, who is primarily a top-order batsman and only occasionally keeps wickets.
This lack of a solid back-up raises concerns about the team’s preparedness if Dhoni is unavailable. Relying on Conway as a part-time goalkeeper could affect the team’s performance, especially in high-pressure situations where mistakes behind the stumps can prove costly in the upcoming season.
Also Read: 3 major strengths of CSK ahead of IPL 2025 season
Concerns over Vijay Shankar and Deepak Hooda’s form
A key weakness of the team heading into the season is the inconsistent form of Vijay Shankar and Deepak Hooda. Both have struggled with their performances recently, creating uncertainty over their roles in the XI. Although they are unlikely to be in the starting lineup, the impact player rule could force the team to rely on one of them, depending on game situations.
This inconsistency in form could be a potential problem as the team may need to make quick decisions on who to select. The uncertainty surrounding the contributions of Shankar and Hooda may affect the balance and overall performance of the team in the upcoming season.
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