The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a five-time IPL champion, are grappling with an unprecedented injury crisis in IPL 2025.
With key players sidelined, the team’s performance has plummeted to the bottom of the points table.
This blog explores CSK’s injury list, its ripple effect on their campaign, and how the franchise is navigating this challenge.
Follow BRG365 for real-time updates on squad dynamics and IPL 2025’s unfolding drama.
Key Players on CSK’s Injury List
CSK’s injury woes began early this season, with two critical absences reshaping their lineup:
Ruturaj Gaikwad's Injury(BRG365)
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain & Top-Order Batsman)
Injury: Elbow fracture sustained during a match against Punjab Kings.
Impact: Gaikwad, CSK’s leading run-scorer in 2024 (avg. 48.2), was pivotal as both captain and anchor. His absence destabilized the top order, forcing MS Dhoni to resume leadership temporarily136.
Replacement: 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre, a domestic prodigy with 962 runs across first-class and List A cricket, debuted on April 20. Despite his lack of T20 experience, Mhatre’s fearless style offers hope13.
Gurjapneet Singh (Pace Bowler)
Gurjapneet Singh's Absence(BRG365)
Injury: Undisclosed, ruled out mid-season.
Impact: Gurjapneet’s economy rate of 7.8 in powerplays left a gap in CSK’s bowling attack.
Replacement: South African Dewald Brevis, signed for his aggressive batting, though his bowling contributions remain untested19.
| Player | Role | Injury | Replacement | Key Stat Impact |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | Captain/Batter | Elbow fracture | Ayush Mhatre | Avg. 48.2 (2024 season) |
| Gurjapneet Singh | Pace Bowler | Undisclosed | Dewald Brevis | Econ 7.8 (powerplays) |
Ripple Effects of the Injury List
The injury list has exposed CSK’s over-reliance on veterans. Jadeja’s poor batting (18.4 average) and Ravindra's inconsistent starts (strike rate 135.5) highlight top-order issues.
Fleming's changes, like moving Jadeja to No. 4, seem more out of desperation.
Dhoni’s reduced role due to knee problems worsens the crisis. His leadership is strong, but his batting is limited, leaving the lower order exposed.
Constant lineup changes have disrupted team cohesion, like Conway moving to open, shifting Ravindra to No. 3.
Youth Integration: Risks and Rewards
The expanding injury list has accelerated CSK’s youth experiment:
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Ayush Mhatre: The teenager’s fearless approach (U19 Asia Cup: 176 runs in 3 matches) offers hope, but his T20 debut against Mumbai Indians was a trial by fire4.
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Noor Ahmad: The 20-year-old spinner (12 wickets, econ 7.12) has outperformed senior bowlers, becoming CSK’s brightest spot in a dismal season.
However, inexperience looms large. Mhatre’s aggressive style risks inconsistency, while Brevis’ IPL readiness remains unproven. Coach Fleming admitted, “Our results have forced us to test philosophies we’d otherwise avoid.
Broader Implications for CSK’s Season
CSK's playoff hopes are fading with six losses in nine matches.
The injury list has forced tactical changes, mixing young talents like Mhatre and Rasheed with veterans like Dhoni and Jadeja.
While Rasheed’s debut (27 off 19) shows promise, consistent performance under pressure is tough.
The injury list has also impacted leadership. Dhoni’s captaincy is solid, but can't replace Gaikwad’s batting.
Brevis brings power but weakens the bowling, a trade-off CSK can’t afford in must-win games.
Looking Ahead: Can CSK Recover?
CSK’s injury list has unmasked systemic issues: an aging core and inadequate bench strength.
While Ayush Mhatre’s rise hints at a brighter future, the immediate focus is on minimizing damage.
Fleming’s candid assessment—“We need our top three to deliver 75% of the runs”—underscores the urgen Injuries have derailed CSK’s IPL 2025 campaign, but they’ve also catalyzed a youth-driven rebuild.
Whether this gamble pays off in 2026 depends on how quickly the injury list shrinks—and how well the next generation steps up.
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