IPL 2025: Top teams that have underperformed in the first two weeks of the tournament — CSK is one such side that has failed to live up to fans’ expectations.
The 18th edition of IPL is entering into its third week with a couple of high-profile matches lined up including RCB-MI, KKR-CSK and LSG-GT. After the first two weeks, it’s the Delhi Capitals that dominated the proceedings with three wins and as many games, followed by Gujarat Titans, who have six points as well from 4 games and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2 wins in 3 games).
While they are the current table toppers, here in this article, we will talk about teams that have underperformed thus far and ultimately have a huge letdown in the initial phase.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Perhaps the biggest let down in this season must be the Sunrisers Hyderabad. After a stunning 2024 where they finished runner-up, and a near perfect start to 2025, where they steamrolled Rajasthan by 44 runs, SRH’s have lost four on the bounce.
After this beginning, Pat Cummins’ led side is not just at the bottom of the table but looking at a possible early exit.
What went wrong for the team?
One of the major talking points of the team coming into the tournament is SRH’s batting. How explosive and strong they are as a batting core. Unfortunately, that didn’t materialize as their batting never showed up post the first game where they made a whopping 286/6 against RR.
New Recruit Ishan Kishan scored a century (106*) in that game and since has made just 21 runs in the next four innings. The rest of the batting order, Abhishek Sharma (51), Nitish Reddy (112), Heinrich Klaasen (152) and Travis Head (148) have not been consistent enough this season. They are yet to fix the No.7 batting position, and the addition of Kamindu Mendis for that role isn’t adding value.
Adding to that, the bowling department hasn’t fired and there has been a letdown on almost every game. Mohammad Shami has just picked 5 wickets in as many games, skipper Cummins has only 4 scalps to his name. Their overseas spinner Adam Zampa had a disappointing couple of outings as did Harshal Patel.
How can things be better?
Perhaps a positive for SRH this season is the emergence of Aniket Verma. The right-hander accumulated 141 runs in 5 innings at a strike rate of over 183. If the rest of the batting comes together at once, SRH can be back as a lethal side that can decimate any bowling attack.
Read More: IPL 2025, SRH vs GT, Hits & Flops: Siraj shines with 4-17; Sunrisers suffer 4th straight loss
Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
The other side, which has produced a disappointing show, has been the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings. The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side has lost three games on the trot, including two at home after winning their opener against Mumbai Indians.
This result, especially at home is completely unexpected as the men in yellow had the perfect team to dominate at Chepauk. However, it didn’t pan out in that way, at least in the first few weeks of the tournament.
What went wrong for the team?
First things, their batting is not coming together. Barring Ruturaj Gaikwad, who himself has been inconsistent, none of the others have found rhythm in this IPL. They have tried players India players like Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda and Vijay Shankar at various positions in the batting order, but the results have not been positive.
As a batting unit, they failed to chase down a target of 180, thrice in succession and each time, overreliance on Gaikwad & Shivam Dube is visible. Unfortunately, both Dube and Gaikwad haven’t been able to produce match-winning knocks, as is the case with Rachin Ravindra, Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni.
On the bowling front, the positives are Noor Ahmad (10 wickets in 4 games) and Khaleel Ahmed (8 wickets). Matheesha Pathirana has done well at the death overs (ER of 7.91), but the spin twins Ravi Ashwin and Jadeja have not come to the party. As a result, they are languishing in the ninth position after week 2 of the tournament.
Many issues for @ChennaiIPL to resolve. Not just the top order but also the inability of the middle to force the pace. For two games now they haven't been in a chase.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 5, 2025
How can things get better?
CSK have still 10 games in the league stage and that’s a lot of time to try to make a comeback. They would need to make changes to their batting order, play with more intent to make sure they are not behind the playing field.
Read More: IPL 2025, CSK vs DC, Hits & Flops: Chennai find themselves in a soup yet again while chasing
Mumbai Indians (MI)
CSK’s biggest rivals, the Mumbai Indians, are on the same boat as the Men in Yellow. They have also won just the solitary game and lost three to take up the eighth position in the points table as of now.
With a star-studded team, they comprehensively lost their first two away games (CSK and Gujarat Titans) before hammering Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at home. Just when it seemed things were falling in place, they lost yet another away, this time against Lucknow Super Giants.
What went wrong for the team?
As a batting and bowling unit, MI are collectively failing, and this has dented them badly. They have tried three openers till now, Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickleton & Will Jacks. In the 8 innings, they combinedly batted at that position, and Rickelton’s 62* against KKR is the only 50-plus score registered. Adding to the openers’ woes, Tilak Varma, MI’s most in-form player coming into the tournament, has made just 95 runs in 3 innings at a scratchy strike rate of 113.10.
While Hardik Pandya has done quite well with the ball picking a fifer against LSG, he has played a limited role with as a batter (39 runs in 2 innings). Talking about bowling, the experienced bowling trio of Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar and Mitchell Santner have picked just 8 wickets among them in the 4 games each they have played.
It’s the lesser-known bowlers like Vignesh Puthur (5 wickets in 3 games) and Ashwani Kumar (5 wickets in 2 innings), who MI have identified this season have stepped up and delivered in the bowling department.
Without the top three pulling their weight, @mipaltan will continue to struggle. They solve that problem and they will become an extremely dangerous team.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 7, 2025
How can things get better?
After a couple of bad performances, MI are making the right changes and slowly but surely, the players are coming to their own. Their most important batter, Suryakumar Yadav, is back amongst the runs and uncapped Naman Dhir is making the right noises in the top order. From now on, finding the right balance will be the key for the former champions.
Read More: IPL 2025, MI vs RCB, Hits & Flops: Bengaluru hold their own in close clash with Mumbai
