New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings playoff hopes are again dashed following a second consecutive season of struggles. Last year they finished fifth after a close contest; this year their performance has significantly deteriorated leaving them at the bottom of the standings with little chance of postseason qualification. Chennais strong start a victory over Mumbai Indians quickly faded as their flaws became apparent. Their batting struggled in the T20 format with middle-order batsmen like Hooda Shankar and Tripathi underperforming. Overdependence on Dube for big hits also proved problematic. While Dhonis return due to Gaikwads injury was anticipated to help it hasnt significantly improved their performance; theyve only won two of their nine games. Ajay Jadeja commented on Chennais inconsistent performance over the past two seasons noting the emotional contrast between their 2023 victory and their 2024 struggles. He offered frank criticism of their recent decline. “The last one was probably more emotional dont forget they won the year before that. So you know sometimes when you go in you do get emotional you stick to the same players and you know hope that itll happen. But there was probably a curve that was heading down. This years performance Im a big Chennai Super Kings fan and a Mumbai Indians fan from one. Dhoni and Tendulkar are the reasons why most of our generation probably looks at these two teams” Ajay Jadeja said. Chennais poor performance this season is attributed to their insufficient player acquisitions at the auction. “So I am also a little disappointed but I think that the auction was where you could see that you know they do not have what you know the firepower that you know most other teams have acquired. So that was probably the key to start with. And then naturally when things dont go well you lose” he added. Ajay Jadeja noted the unusual instability in Chennai Super Kings team composition this season. Unlike previous years where they consistently supported their players the teams underperformance and lack of offensive strength have necessitated frequent lineup changes. “Chennai over the years Ive been following them so much they would stick. I dont know if you remember that it was Shane Watson who struggled all the way to the final but he still played all those games. This year Conway came to three games Rachin is now out. So that is something new that Im seeing with them. I dont know why but maybe because of the uncertainty at the auction that happened this time this is also what we are seeing” he concluded.