The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is about to play Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2025’s 43rd match at MA Chidambaram Stadium on the 25th of April. CSK hasn’t had a great season, losing six out of eight matches and ruining their chances of making the playoffs this season. CSK’s season has been inconsistent, particularly in the batting department, preventing CSK bowlers from giving them a defendable total.

CSK’s issues are rooted in auction strategy, where CSK placed importance on establishing a good top order but didn’t build a middle-order plan. This lack of quality or depth in the middle order became apparent when CSK top-order players didn’t play well in the majority of matches. Additionally, when Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was injured, it depleted the batting lineup further. While CSK’s bowlers made great efforts to keep CSK in games, the batting lineup failed to either set a competitive total or chase the total down, leading to CSK’s poor start.

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Now CSK will go against SRH with a very weak chance of starting an upturn, and CSK’s management faces a lot of pressure on how to fix the situation and improve overall squad composition. If CSK does make changes as they are speculated to, then they will select players to get CSK back on track.

Dewald Brevis: An Impact Player in the Making?

Recently, CSK acquired 19-year-old South African batter Dewald Brevis to replace injured Gurjapneet Singh at a cost of INR 2.2 crore after Brevis went unsold in the mega-auction. Brevis played the last two IPL seasons with the Mumbai Indians, so CSK must be familiar with his explosive potential, as the young Indian had an overall strike rate of 133.72 in ten IPL matches and 230 runs. CSK's addition of Brevis is noteworthy, given that they were able to take advantage of their one replacement overseas player in this situation. 

Head Coach Stephen Fleming said Brevis could play against SRH. In fact, Fleming said Brevis could be playing against them. But he stated CSK will stay loyal to many players who have stuck it out for the duration of the season. "He's one of the options that we'll look at... Brevis is a good addition to the squad, but we just have to manage what we think will be the best team." As CSK desperately searches for a spark, Brevis may be able to provide the explosive impact that allows them to reinvigorate their season.