The mood at the MA Chidambaram Stadium took a big hit in Chennai Super Kings’ first home match. What started with a standing ovation for captain Ruturaj Gaikwad at the toss turned into complete silence after the CSK skipper once again played a stuttering innings in the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League.
Playing with Sanju Samson and then youngster Ayush Mhatra, Gaikwad never really got going and ended up with a poor knock of 28 off 22 that completely knocked Chennai’s top order out.
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But it wasn’t entirely his fault. CSK were sent in to bat first on a pitch that looked quite flat and were rocked right from the start. Sanju Samson moved back to keeper in the second and tried to control Xavier Bartlett. This seemed to push Gaikwad into a shell from which he never came out.
Gaikwad, who hit just two fours during his 22-ball stay, ended the 12th over in what was arguably one of the most dangerous deliveries of the innings, wide down the leg side.
The batsman was in such form that he chased the ball and swept it only to find the lone fielder standing on the boundary, Nehal Wadhera.
The Chepauk crowd, which had been the loudest at the start of the match, fell silent as their captain slowly walked away with his head bowed in disappointment.
Cricket fans at X were not happy with Gaikwad’s innings either and criticized the batter for his second failure of the season.
Chennai Super Kings were rescued on Friday by a brilliant innings from Ayush Mhatre who scored 73 off just 43 balls before Yuzvendra Chahal was dismissed. Apart from young Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan played a fine cameo, 32 off 12 balls to secure a late charge for the home team.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
03 Apr 2026 21:11 IST
