Ruturaj Gaikwad (Image credit: BCCI/IPL) NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings are having a tough IPL 2026 season. They are currently seventh in the points table with two wins and four defeats from six matches and one of the key reasons for their struggles has been captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s poor form with the bat.Gaikwad managed just 82 runs in six matches at an average of 13.66, with a strike rate of 112.33.Former India off-spinner R Ashwin believes Gaikwad missed a golden opportunity to return to form during CSK’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, especially after Ayush Mhatre provided a flying start. CSK, who won two matches on the trot, went down by 10 runs to SRH on Saturday.
Watch
RCB admit batting failure after narrow defeat | IPL 2026 After posting 194/9, powered by half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen, SRH restricted CSK to 184/8.“It was his biggest chance to score. He didn’t need to take any chances or score at a fast pace because of the way Ayush Mhatre started. They were running with power. It was enough for Ruturaj to take some time, get a few runs and get back into form.”“After Ayush Mhatre’s wicket, Ruturaj got a very good ball, it’s not easy to beat him on the pull. I just feel he is under a lot of pressure and his mind seems a bit cluttered,” Ashwin said on JioHotstar.CSK started their campaign with three consecutive losses against Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru before bouncing back with consecutive wins over Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders.However, their momentum was again halted by 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 face Mumbai Indians on April 23.
Vote
Given their current form, where do you predict ČSK will finish this season?
