The Chennai Super Kings are currently struggling near the bottom of the table after suffering five consecutive losses following their initial victory in the opening match. The five-time champions have endured a series of disappointing defeats, with their most recent loss to Kolkata Knight Riders resulting in their lowest score ever recorded at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk.

As the tournament progresses, many are questioning the future of CSK, as their chances of making the playoffs appear increasingly slim. Nevertheless, the season is not yet over. CSK need not look far into history to find examples of IPL teams that have successfully turned their fortunes around early in the season.

Several IPL teams have managed to embark on winning streaks in the latter half of the season, reigniting their title aspirations after a poor start. A recent example is the 2024 Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who began their campaign with only one victory in their first eight matches.

They then embarked on an impressive six-game winning streak, starting with a victory against the formidable SRH, followed by consecutive wins over the Gujarat Titans, a significant triumph against the Punjab Kings, and ultimately, eliminating fellow playoff contenders Delhi Capitals. They capped off this remarkable run by defeating CSK in the final match of the regular season, which served as a virtual quarterfinal for playoff qualification.

"I had packed my bags in April itself, thinking there was no chance of us qualifying," Virat Kohli remarked to JioCinema regarding RCB's late-season resurgence. "Look where we are now. It is incredible how this game can change, and what is the reason for that? There is no reason." CSK may be experiencing similar sentiments—can they summon the strength to replicate such a turnaround?

Can captain Dhoni turn back the clock for inspiration?

Throughout the history of the IPL, a team typically needs to secure seven victories to have a strong chance of qualifying for the playoffs, while achieving eight wins almost guarantees advancement. In the history of the IPL, no team with eight wins has ever failed to reach the playoffs, except during the two seasons when teams played 16 matches. Notably, only once has a team qualified for the playoffs with a six-win record, as seen with SRH in IPL 2019, who finished fourth despite a 6-8 regular season record.

As CSK approaches the IPL 2025 season, they theoretically have the potential to achieve nine wins, yet they still have the flexibility to lose one or two matches. However, securing only seven victories remains precarious; in a sample of 15 seasons, 20 different teams have reached seven wins but failed to qualify for the playoffs. Only 12 teams have missed out, resulting in a qualification rate of just 37.5% for those who achieve seven wins. This was evident last season when four teams ended with a 7-7 record, with only RCB managing to qualify, while the others faced disappointment.

For motivation, CSK might reflect on their inaugural title victory in 2010. It is often overlooked that CSK began that season with a dismal 2-5 record, accumulating just four points in the first half. They made a remarkable comeback by capitalizing on a three-match home stretch, achieving three consecutive wins to level their record at 5-5. Although they lost two more matches, they clinched a crucial victory in their final game against Kings XI Punjab when it mattered most.

In that match, they required 16 runs off the last over to secure the win. Who else but MS Dhoni stepped up in that critical moment, hitting two successive sixes to seal the victory? Dhoni later described it as one of the most emotional matches of his career at the age of 28. Now, fifteen years later, with him back at the helm, can he conjure up a similar moment of brilliance?

Read Also: CSK Coach Hussey Supports MS Dhoni, Asserts Team Is Not Over the Hill, Will Not Rely on Young Players

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