IPL 2025 | "Poor form has affected the entire team": Varun Aaron on CSK early exit from league

Varun Aaron. Pic/AP, PTI

Former Team India pacer Varun Aaron feels that Chennai Super Kings' poor form has affected the entire team in the IPL 2025.

The pacer highlighted Matheesha Pathirana's struggles to claim wickets. Aaron stated that the slinger has changed his action and has bowled 31 extras this season, which is a lot for a lead bowler.

"I think poor form has affected the entire team, especially the bowling unit. CSK really depended on Pathirana to get them wickets at the back end and defend totals, but he's been completely off the boil. He's changed his action a bit, he's not landing his yorkers, and has bowled 31 extras this tournament, that's a lot for a frontline bowler," Varun Aaron said while speaking on Match Centre Live on JioHotstar.

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Further, the former cricketer feels that Chennai lacked the energy in the middle overs before the inclusion of Dewald Brevis. After the South African joined the squad, he provided that stability with the bat, but it was too late for the side in the campaign.

Aaron said that CSK can't be dependent on someone like MS Dhoni to finish the matches for 18 years.

"With the bat, they've lacked impetus in the middle overs. Brevis has come in and provided a bit of high-octane energy, but before that, it was missing. They need to go back to the drawing board and evaluate what went wrong at the auction. They don't have someone like Tristan Stubbs or Tim David to finish innings. Yes, MS Dhoni is there, but you can't keep depending on him for 18 years," he added.

Following the loss against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Dhoni-led Chennai are nothing but out of the playoffs race of the IPL 2025. The defeat also marked their fifth loss at the home venue, Chepauk.

PBKS is now at the third spot in the table with six wins, three losses, giving them 13 points. CSK is struggling at the bottom, with two wins and eight losses, giving them four points.

CSK will now lock horns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their upcoming IPL 2025 fixture at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

(With ANI Inputs)