Sehwag Slams CSK’s Batting Strategy After Fourth Consecutive Home Defeat
In a scathing critique of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), former India opener Virender Sehwag has lambasted the team’s batting approach following their fourth consecutive home defeat in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. CSK’s latest setback came against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who clinched a commanding five-wicket victory at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) on Friday, marking their first-ever win at this venue.
CSK’s batting frailties were laid bare as they crumbled to a modest total of 154 in 19.5 overs. Despite spirited knocks from young opener Ayush Mhatre (30 off 19 balls) and South African talent Dewald Brevis (42 off 25 balls), the defending champions failed to build partnerships. SRH’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Harshal Patel’s stellar 4 for 28, dismantled CSK’s lineup with clinical precision, exposing their fragile middle order yet again.
Sehwag, known for his blunt assessments, didn’t mince words while criticizing CSK’s questionable batting order, particularly the promotion of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Speaking on Cricbuzz, he remarked, ‘If Jadeja has come up the order, his strike rate is useless, but at least he should bat till the 15th or 18th over to allow others to play around him. None of the batters took responsibility. Wickets kept tumbling, and no one anchored the innings.’ Jadeja, who has a career IPL strike rate of around 128, has often been criticized for his conservative approach in crunch situations.
The explosive former opener also expressed bewilderment at CSK’s muddled batting strategy. ‘Their batting order is beyond my understanding. If you bring in someone like Brevis, play him at No. 3, followed by Shivam Dube at 4, and then Jadeja. Sam Curran can come lower down. But no one is scoring consistently,’ Sehwag fumed. He further highlighted the void left by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been a consistent performer for CSK in recent years with a strike rate hovering around 140-160. ‘When Ruturaj departed, they lost a player who could hold the innings together,’ he added.
This defeat marks CSK’s seventh loss of the IPL 2025 season, and with playoff hopes fading fast, the five-time champions are staring at an early exit. Historically dominant at Chepauk, CSK’s inability to defend their fortress—now with four straight losses at home—has raised serious concerns among fans and pundits alike. SRH, on the other hand, rode on a balanced performance, with their bowlers setting the tone and their batters sealing the chase with overs to spare.
As CSK gear up for their next challenge, the pressure is mounting on head coach Stephen Fleming and the think tank to address these glaring batting inconsistencies. Will the Yellow Army turn their fortunes around, or is this the end of their storied dominance in IPL 2025? Only time will tell, but for now, Sehwag’s words echo the frustration of millions of CSK faithful: a team once feared for its depth now looks lost in transition.