Ruturaj Gaikwad (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)
New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings are facing a tough season in IPL 2026. The team is currently ranked seventh in the points table after two wins and four losses in six matches, and one of the main reasons behind their struggles has been skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s poor form with the bat.Gaikwad has managed just 82 runs in six matches at an average of 13.66, with a strike rate of 112.33.Former India spinner R Ashwin believes Gaikwad missed a golden opportunity to return to form during CSK’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, especially after Ayush Mhatre made a brilliant start. CSK, who won two matches on the run, went down by 10 runs to SRH on Saturday.After posting 194/9, supported by half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaassen, SRH restricted CSK to 184/8.“It was his best chance to score goals. He didn’t need to take risks or score at a fast pace because of the way Aayush Mhatre started. They were running away with power. It was right there for Ruturaj to take some time, score some runs, get back to form.”“After Aayush Mhatre’s wicket, Ruturaj got a very good ball, it’s not easy to beat him on the pull. I just feel he’s under immense pressure, his mind seems a bit muddled,” Ashwin said on JioHotstar.
CSK started their campaign with three consecutive defeats against Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru before bouncing back with back-to-back wins over Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders.However, their momentum was halted again after a narrow defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad.With a net run rate of -0.780, CSK find themselves in the bottom half of the table and under pressure to turn things around.CSK will next take on Mumbai Indians on April 23.