IPL 2026: Captaincy burden weighing on Ruturaj Gaikwad's batting, says Ashwin
Synopsis
Ravichandran Ashwin has flagged what many CSK watchers have quietly suspected: Ruturaj Gaikwad's captaincy load is taking a toll on his batting. With CSK losing to SRH by five wickets and their playoff hopes under pressure, the franchise's post-Dhoni transition is being tested in real time — and the cracks are showing.
Key Takeaways
Ravichandran Ashwin said the captaincy responsibility is visibly affecting Ruturaj Gaikwad's batting in IPL 2026 .
CSK lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad by five wickets at M.
Chidambaram Stadium , Chennai.
Gaikwad scored only 15 runs and was dismissed by Pat Cummins (3/28) , who also reached 200 T20 wickets .
Ishan Kishan (70 off 47) and Heinrich Klaasen (47) powered SRH's successful chase of 181 runs with an over to spare.
SRH qualified for the IPL 2026 playoffs with 16 points from 13 matches , joining Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru .
Dewald Brevis top-scored for CSK with 44 as the side posted 180/7 .
Ravichandran Ashwin has raised a pointed concern about Ruturaj Gaikwad's form in IPL 2026, arguing that the added weight of captaincy is visibly affecting the Chennai Super Kings opener's batting. The observation came after CSK suffered a five-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, a loss that cemented SRH's place in the playoffs.
Ashwin's Assessment of Gaikwad and CSK's Transition
Speaking on JioHotstar after the match, the former India off-spinner did not mince words about the scale of the challenge facing CSK in the post-MS Dhoni era. “Chennai Super Kings are clearly in a transition phase in the post-Dhoni era. It’s important for everyone involved—fans, stakeholders, and the team—to recognise that rebuilding takes time,” Ashwin said.
He added: “The standards and expectations associated with CSK are incredibly high because of their legacy, but this group needs space and patience as they evolve. At the same time, the added responsibility of captaincy seems to have affected Ruturaj Gaikwad’s batting. T20 cricket is already demanding, and carrying the burden of leadership alongside expectations from a franchise like CSK can have a significant impact on a player.”
Gaikwad Struggles as CSK Post 180/7
Gaikwad managed only 15 runs before being dismissed by SRH skipper Pat Cummins, who finished with impressive figures of 3/28 and, in the process, reached the milestone of 200 T20 wickets. CSK ultimately posted 180/7, with Dewald Brevis top-scoring at 44. Quick contributions from Sanju Samson and young batter Kartik Sharma provided the early momentum, but the innings lacked a defining anchor.
SRH Chase Down Target with an Over to Spare
Sunrisers Hyderabad overhauled the 181-run target with an over to spare, driven by Ishan Kishan's measured 70 off 47 balls and Heinrich Klaasen's aggressive 47. After early impetus from Abhishek Sharma and Klaasen, Kishan steadied the chase to seal a comfortable win. Young SRH bowlers Sakib Husain and Praful Hinge had earlier taken two wickets each to keep CSK in check.
Playoff Picture After the Result
The victory took SRH to 16 points from 13 matches, confirming their place in the IPL 2026 playoffs alongside Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. For CSK, the defeat deepens the uncertainty around their own qualification hopes, with the franchise still navigating a structural reset after Dhoni's exit. Notably, this is not the first time a legendary franchise has struggled in the immediate seasons following a transformational leader's departure — the pressure on Gaikwad is both cricketing and institutional.
How CSK and Gaikwad respond in their remaining matches will be closely watched as the tournament enters its decisive phase.
Point of View
Not a form slump. The franchise's instinct to hand Gaikwad both roles at once — top-order batter and captain of a legacy side — may be compressing his natural game at precisely the moment CSK needs him to express it. The deeper question is whether CSK's management has given Gaikwad the right support infrastructure or simply handed him a crown and expected him to figure it out.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Ravichandran Ashwin think Ruturaj Gaikwad's batting is suffering in IPL 2026?
Ashwin believes the dual burden of captaining a high-expectation franchise like CSK in the post-Dhoni era, combined with the inherent demands of T20 batting, is weighing on Gaikwad. He said the captaincy responsibility 'seems to have affected' Gaikwad's batting and called for patience as CSK rebuild.
What happened in the CSK vs SRH match at Chepauk?
SRH defeated CSK by five wickets at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, chasing down 181 runs with an over to spare. Ishan Kishan scored 70 off 47 balls and Heinrich Klaasen contributed 47 to seal the win for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Have SRH qualified for the IPL 2026 playoffs?
Yes, SRH confirmed their playoff berth with this win, reaching 16 points from 13 matches. They join Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026 playoffs.
How did Ruturaj Gaikwad perform in the CSK vs SRH game?
Gaikwad scored just 15 runs before being dismissed by SRH captain Pat Cummins, who took 3/28 and reached 200 T20 wickets in the same match. It was another underwhelming outing for the CSK skipper with the bat.
Who were the standout performers for CSK in their innings of 180/7?
Dewald Brevis top-scored for CSK with 44, while Sanju Samson and Kartik Sharma provided early contributions. For SRH, Sakib Husain and Praful Hinge each took two wickets to restrict CSK's total.
