South African speed great Dale Steyn didn’t mince words in casting aspersions on Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) baffling batting approach during their IPL 2025 match against Rajasthan Royals in Match 62. The former fast bowler vented his frustration on social media questioning the CSK thought process after a strange batting lineup that had left everyone scratching their heads.

Dale Steyn Confused After Watching CSK’s Batting Strategy

Steyn posted on X (formely Twitter) and wrote that: “CSK 3 down and they send 2 bowlers to bat. Sometimes I feel their math is not mathing.” According to Dale Steyn he couldn’t understand CSK’s batting approach and the team’s decision to send two bowlers to bat when proper batters were required to control the innings.

Ashwin Came To Bat At No.4

Following a bumpy beginning where CSK were left at 12/2 in only two overs Yudhvir Singh having bowled out both Devon Conway (10 from 8) and Urvil Patel (0 from 2) in successive overs the team decided to promote Ravichandran Ashwin up the order to No. 4. This was only the third time in the entire IPL career of Ashwin that he had batted as high as No. 4, leaving eyebrows raised all around the cricketing world.

Partnership Between Ravichandran Ashwin And Ayush Mhatre

Unexpectedly, Ashwin steadied the ship for a while, hitting 13 off 8 balls, including a six and a boundary, stitching together a quick 56-run partnership off 24 balls with Ayush Mhatre, who dominated with a 43 off just 20.

Ravindra Jadeja Got Dismissed Early

But another twist came when Ravindra Jadeja was brought up at No. 5 in place of Mhatre following his dismissal. It did not work out, with Jadeja getting dismissed for 1 run off 5 deliveries, once again by Yudhvir Singh. It sent the explosive young batter Dewald Brevis to No. 6, something many were unable to understand based on his current form and batting abilities.

Dewald Brevis’ Crucial Contribution

Though they came in late, Brevis also made a big impact, blasting 42 off 25 balls, including two boundaries and three huge sixes. His aggressive style pulled CSK back, particularly as he also developed a good 59-run stand in 36 balls for the fifth wicket with Shivam Dube, who had been promoted even lower to No. 7. Dube added a solid 39 off 32.

CSK’s Collapse

But CSK collapsed in the last overs. After Brevis got out, the innings tailed off, generating only 17 runs from the last three overs and finally finishing at 187/8 from their 20 overs — a score that many believed could have easily been much higher had they had a more sensible batting line-up.

Steyn, like several fans, was baffled by the team’s decisions, calling the batting approach “bizarre” and suggesting it may have cost CSK valuable momentum in a crucial match.