No end in sight for CSK’s Ruturaj Gaikwad problem as captain extends poor run of form in IPL 2026

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been the worst letdown for the Chennai Super Kings so far in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026). The Maharashtra star, who returned to action this season after missing the majority of the last edition of the tournament due to injury, has been a massive failure with the bat and has been more of a liability for the team than an asset. After yet another failure in the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), one can only wonder if Gaikwad needs a long rope or should CSK make a quick fix and replace him.

So far, Gaikwad has managed to score just 82 runs from 6 matches so far in IPL 2026. His strike rate has been quite miserable for an opener in the league, just above 100. While it doesn’t make any sense for CSK to use him as an opener despite his repeated failures, Gaikwad isn’t worthy of a spot in the playing XI as well, given his current form and inability to contribute to the side effectively with the bat.

Gaikwad’s poor run as CSK captain & batter continues

Gaikwad’s scores so far in IPL 2026 are 6, 28, 7, 15, 7, and 19. The CSK captain has simply tasted no success after promoting himself as an opener this season, while a better-performing Ayush Mhatre has been pushed to bat down at number 3. On Saturday, Gaikwad was caught behind by Salil Arora off Ehsan Malinga’s first delivery. He managed to score just 19 off 13 deliveries, striking at 146.15.

As a captain, Gaikwad has won 10 games but has lost 14 so far in the IPL. He was named as CSK’s skipper just before the start of IPL 2025. However, an injury to the star resulted in MS Dhoni taking over the reins of the team once again for the remainder of the tournament, where CSK finished at the rock bottom of the points table.

Image Credit: Vikram Chandrasekar via ZUMA Press Wire/ Alamy

Well, Gaikwad thought that his return to CSK could not only help turn around the team’s fortunes, but his as well. But he has been wrong thus far. Although CSK have won two consecutive games, they find themselves at the bottom half of the points table once again, with just two wins from five matches. Gaikwad’s role as a captain cannot be ridiculed, for there are very few loopholes to point out. But his record as a batter in the ongoing edition of the tournament casts aspersions on if he deserves a spot in the playing XI.

CSK have decided that Ruturaj Gaikwad will be MS Dhoni’s successor as the team’s captain for the seasons to come. But, for the Maharashtra batter to prove that he deserves to don the hat, he needs to start performing with the bat as well, just like how he used to do so a couple of seasons ago. Else, the five-time champions might as well consider someone experienced like Sanju Samson to take over the reins of the team while Gaikwad is given some time off or is stripped off the load of captaincy in order to rediscover his form.

The post No end in sight for CSK’s Ruturaj Gaikwad problem as captain extends poor run of form in IPL 2026 appeared first on Inside Sport India.