Chennai Super Kings’ five-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad on their home ground last night has left their chances of qualifying for the IPL 2026 play-offs hanging by a thread. Not only do they need to beat the second-placed Gujarat Titans in their final match, but also hope the results of the other games go their way.
They are currently sixth on the points table and are locked in a tight contest with three other teams – Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals – for the fourth and final play-off spot.
Most of the criticism for the CSK’s underwhelming performance this year has been directed toward skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has had a forgettable time both as captain and as a batter. He has only managed 321 runs in 13 matches so far, at an average of 29 and a poor strike rate of 120.67.
Gaikwad took over the reins of the team from M.S. Dhoni before the start of IPL 2024. CSK narrowly missed out on the play-offs, finishing fifth on the points table in his debut season at the helm. But critics pointed out that Dhoni continued to have a major say in the on-field and off-field decisions. The next year, Gaikwad was ruled out of the tournament after just five matches due to an elbow fracture, and Dhoni took over the role again.
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This year, without Dhoni’s encouraging presence on the field – he is nursing a calf injury – both Gaikwad and the CSK have looked largely lost in terms of playing XI combination and strategies. The skipper’s batting woes at the top have compounded his team’s problems.
Of the 32 matches as the CSK skipper so far, Gaikwad has won 14 and lost 18.
The 29-year-old is not new to the role, having led India C in the Duleep Trophy and the Rest of India in Irani Cup. But, the IPL captaincy is a wholly different ball game, and Gaikwad seems to be learning it the hard way. Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has backed him, stressing that leadership in a high-pressure tournament comes with a heavy burden that is often underestimated.
"Chennai Super Kings are clearly in a transition phase in the post-Dhoni era, and it's important for everyone around the franchise, fans, stakeholders, and the team itself, to recognise that rebuilding takes time. The standards and expectations associated with CSK are incredibly high because of their legacy, but this group needs space and patience as they evolve," Ashwin said.
The ex-CSK off-spinner also noted that CSK are a team in transition. CSK overhauled their squad following a disappointing 2025 season, replacing Matheesha Pathirana, Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway with young attacking players such as Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, and Urvil Patel. Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, too, was brought in to strengthen the top order, as part of a trade deal involving Ravindra Jadeja and all-rounder Sam Curran.
Former Australia captain Aaron Finch, too, urged restraint in judging Gaikwad’s leadership, reasoning that the demands of captaincy naturally add pressure on any player.
While CSK head coach Stephen Fleming admitted that Gaikwad is still a work in progress as captain, he said that he will be a fine captain for the franchise. "It's going to take a little bit of time. And he's doing a good job. He has a massive amount of respect with this group of players. And he's learning all the time and putting that into play.”
Samson’s presence in the team has, of course, sparked a debate among the fans on whether it is time for Gaikwad to step aside and let the former take over the reins of the team. The 31-year-old is an experienced campaigner, having led the Rajasthan Royals in 67 matches, winning 33 and losing 33. He has also led the RR to the IPL final in 2022 and the play-offs in 2024.
Also, Samson is immensely popular with the fans, and, as a wicketkeeper-batter like Dhoni, many see him as the veteran’s natural successor as the CSK captain. Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary, too, feels that Samson should take over as the skipper. The plus, many argue, is that it will allow Gaikwad to play freely as a batter. His breakout season was 2024, when he made 583 in 14 matches at an average of 53 and a strike rate of 141.16.
With the Dhoni era over, the CSK management will have to take a bold call sooner than later with an eye on the future.
