Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are in very poor form in the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. They are ranked 7th in the league table. Lost four games out of six. Ruturaj Gaikwad has failed to lead the team properly and with the bat as well. Fans and many former cricketers have asked Sanju Samson to be made the captain.
Former CSK batsman Subramaniam Badrinath has expressed his views on the change of captaincy. The former cricketer believes that Sanju Samson should replace Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK captain midway through the season, as Badrinath believes that the leadership role is affecting Ruturaj Gaikwad’s batting performance. Ruturaj Gaikwad is struggling to score runs and has scored 82 runs in 6 innings.
He (Ruturaj Gaikwad) has failed miserably as captain- Subramaniam Badrinath
While talking on his YouTube channel, Badrinath said, “It is a matter to think whether the CSK management will think of removing him from the captaincy and giving it to Sanju Samson.” 6. It’s not because he’s failing miserably as a captain.
“But the burden of captaincy is clearly visible in his batting. You can see on his face that he is under a lot of pressure. To relieve that pressure, can CSK make Sanju the captain in place of Ruturaj?”
Ruturaj needs to start firing – S Badrinath
Ruturaj Gaikwad has never been able to get going this season with 28 runs at an average of 13.67 and the strike rate has also declined as he has scored at a strike rate of 112.33. Last season, his average was also less than 30 and he played only five matches due to injury problems.
“Ruturaj needs to start firing. Six matches is a lot when you are opening and batting in the powerplay to fail. His captaincy was at least good, though, in the SRH game. He hasn’t stepped up at all in the run-chase.”
CSK desperately needs him – S Badrinath on MS Dhoni’s presence
Badrinath says that CSK still needs the services of former captain MS Dhoni considering the recent poor performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Despite requiring less than 8.5 runs per over in the last ten overs, the Men in Yellow gave up the run chase against SRH.
“Regardless of any physical problems he may have, the way he is struggling, CSK desperately needs him in the death overs. Even now, if MS Dhoni is batting in the 18th over, the bowler is under pressure.”
Badrinath said, “He will miss the length and yorker, and he will play helicopter shots. His calmness and composure will mean that if his batting requires even 16 runs in the last over, the bowler will be under pressure.”
With Dhoni out, the yellow team is also struggling with injury problems and now Ayush Mhatre is expected to be out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury. Khalil Ahmed is also out of the tournament. The franchise has not yet appointed a replacement for the fast bowler. Dhoni is expected to return in the next match against Mumbai Indians.
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