Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin did not hold back in his assessment of Chennai Super Kings after their crushing defeat by Punjab Kings in Chepauk, admitting that it was “painful to watch” his former team’s game. In an emotional reaction, Ashwin said he was willing to face criticism for speaking out but could not ignore the drop in standards.
CSK’s struggles continued into IPL 2026, with back-to-back defeats leaving them at the bottom of the table. After posting 209 for five in their first home match, they were unable to defend the total as PBKS chased it down comfortably, exposing familiar issues with their bowling and intensity. Ashwin shared a heartfelt take on the team’s performance on his YouTube channel.
| IPL 2026: CSK vs PBKS Highlights, Scorecard |
“No offense – I’m not blaming any player. But sometimes it’s hard to watch from the outside. You know what kind of team they used to be? When I saw the match today from the stadium, from the commentary box, for the first time with a direct view – I felt it,” Ashwin said.
“People can say what they want, I don’t care. You can judge me, abuse me all you want, it doesn’t matter. For me, Chennai is a matter of pride. Think what you want, it doesn’t bother me. But when I watched this team today, at 3 p.m., everyone’s shoulders dropped. It was painful to watch. It was really painful to see the body language of the players, it was really painful. With the inexperience you had. really disappointing,” he added.
Ashwin also pointed out absence of MS Dhoni as a factor this may have affected the thinking of the team. Dhoni, who is currently sidelined with a calf injury and has been gradually transitioning into a limited role on the field, missed the clash with Chepauk, leaving a noticeable void in leadership and presence.
“Bring that culture back. I still believe this team can make it to the top four. I’m sure – they just need to get things right. One small regret today – MS Dhoni was not at the ground. If he was there, players like these would have benefited. His presence in the dressing room completely changes the atmosphere,” Ashwin said.
CSK’s defeat came despite a strong batting effort. Ayush Mhatre’s 73 powered them to 209 for five, with useful contributions from Shivam Dube and Sarfaraz Khan. However, the bowlers were unable to defend the total, with Punjab comfortably chasing it after a blistering start from Priyansh Arya.
HOW DAMAGED WAS CSK’S IPL LAST FORM?
CSK’s struggles escalated over timeAshwin’s comments reflected a deeper concern about the team’s trajectory.
“When I watch cricket, the place I played, the team I represented – nothing is bigger for me than Tamil Nadu. The biggest regret in my life is that I couldn’t win the Ranji Trophy for Tamil Nadu. I don’t regret not doing anything for India – I don’t regret not doing it for Tamil Nadu.”
“I don’t want any player to go through phases where the team’s identity starts to slip. This team had a culture and that’s what needs to come back,” he added, emphasizing the emotional connection behind his criticism.
The numbers paint a disturbing picture. CSK finished bottom of the table in IPL 2025 for the first time in their history and started IPL 2026 with two defeats in two matches, including an eight-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals.
Their net run of -2.562 is currently the worst in the competition and the loss to Punjab marked their sixth straight defeat at Chepauk, a venue once considered their stronghold. With a tough clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru looming, CSK found themselves under early pressure to stop the slide.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
04 Apr 2026 16:16 IST
