CSK's underwhelming season has come across as a surprise to many (experts and fans included) across the cricketing globe and something that not a lot of people saw coming beforehand. Before the season began, many thought that CSK would have one of their better seasons and would definitely find themselves in the playoffs but it looks like that it might not be the case. With more than two-thirds of the league phase done, CSK are placed at the very bottom of the points table having won just 2 out of the 9 matches they have played. They would need a mini-miracle to have any chance of making it to the top-4 and as of now their season looks all but done. Things have not gone as per plan for CSK with their regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad being ruled out of the season with an elbow injury in the middle of the season and much to the delight of the fans MS Dhoni returned at the helm of affairs captaining CSK for the first time since 2023. However, even Dhoni's Midas touch has not been able to bring about a change of fortunes for CSK and they have won just 1 out of the 4 matches Dhoni has captained so far this year. 43-year old skipper MS Dhoni has not been at his best either scoring just 140 runs across 9 innings so far with a strike rate of 142.85. Dhoni has batted as low as number 9 on occasions (his lowest batting position ever in the IPL) as a result of his knees which are not what they used to be, in the words of CSK head coach Stephen Fleming. Also Read | 'His knees aren't what they used to be': Fleming on Dhoni's batting position The infusion of young blood in the form of Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brewis and Shaik Rasheed has hinted at CSK possibly looking towards the future, something they have been reluctant of doing in the past. With this season almost done for them, it will be interesting to see how they approach the next one in 2026 and the kind of retentions and releases they do before that. Adam Gilchrist's massive statement on MS Dhoni Former Australian wicketkeeper-batter and IPL winning skipper Adam Gilchrist spoke to Cricbuzz about the same and as per his opinion MS Dhoni has done it all and perhaps should not be there next year. These were his words - "He has nothing more to prove to anyone in the game. He has achieved it all, MS, well he'll know what he wants to do but I'm saying for the future, it is going to cost me this I know, but perhaps he doesn't need to be there next year." Gilchrist further added "I love you MS, you are a champion, an icon." Gilchrist also suggested that CSK can let go of the likes of Devon Conway, Deepak Hooda and Shaik Rasheed to free up some purse for the auction. He also suggested that CSK should hang on to Ravindra Jadeja and Ravinchandran Ashwin while Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Chaudhary just about made the cut according to the Aussie. MS Dhoni himself has hinted at the possibility of looking at building a team for the next year as qualification seems near on impossible for them. CSK's batting has been a major problem for them with their batters playing old-school T20 cricket whereas the other teams have gone far too ahead and CSK has not been able to catch up. Also Read | 'Come back stronger next year': Dhoni's big admission after CSK's loss to MI What next for CSK? CSK are next scheduled to play against Punjab Kings on April 30, 2025 in Match 49 at their home venue at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. It has not been a happy hunting ground for CSK this time around as they have lost 4 out of the 5 matches they have played here this season. 🚨 Chepauk has been Breached Thrice 🚨- RCB Won after 17 Years- DC Won after 15 Years- Maiden Win for SRH📷 IPL via Getty Images pic.twitter.com/BywaLCM0Gc — CricketGully (@thecricketgully) April 25, 2025 Also Read | 'There was no home advantage at Chepauk': CSK head coach Stephen Fleming A loss here would officially end the slimmest of chances CSK have to make it to the playoffs while on the other hand PBKS would desperately want to get back into the top-4 with a win.