CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s awful form has continued in this edition of the TATA IPL 2026. The CSK captain has once been dismissed early, and that too at their home ground at the Chepauk. The CSK fans might be frustrated with the captain’s severe lack of form.
Chennai Super Kings finally broke their losing jinx after they won their first game in the TATA IPL 2026 against the Delhi Capitals in their last game. Opener Sanju Samson had scored a century, his fourth and the first of his IPL career for the Super Kings.
However, the biggest concern that remains for the Super Kings is their skipper not hitting form. The Chennai team has batted stunningly after that first game, but Gaikwad has averaged 14 coming into their fifth game of the season.
Ruturaj Gaikwad continues poor show in IPL 2026 with another low score at Chepauk
The Chennai Super Kings are going through one of their roughest phases in the IPL. Opening alongside Sanju Samson, their skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad has failed to be promising at the top. He has been largely criticized for his poor batting form alongside his cluelessness in captaincy.
Having managed just 56 runs in the first four games, averaging 14 and striking at an awful 102, Gaikwad had the intent to bounce back, but fortune did not favour him. In the second over of the powerplay, after being asked to bat first, Gaikwad looked to sweep Anukul Roy out towards the deep mid-wicket boundary.
The ball did not get the desired elevation, and hence not the destination either. He was caught by Rovman Powell, one of the safest pairs of hands in the KKR XI. Ruturaj Gaikwad departed for the score of 7.
Ruturaj’s poor form continues pic.twitter.com/Uo70EuylDC
— Nickk Knight (@KnightNick34590) April 14, 2026
Ayush Mhatre gave CSK a spectacular start in the powerplay
After Ruturaj Gaikwad’s dismissal, Chennai were unstoppable with the arrival of the in-form Ayush Mhatre, who gave CSK the best start possible under those circumstances. Chennai already started well with Sanju Samson taking 15 runs off the first over.
However, their dreams of a good opening stand were shattered once again with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s dismissal. The 20-year-old youngster, who has been in some great form for CSK this season as well, did not hold back against the likes of Cameron Green and Vaibhav Arora.
He smacked the ball to all parts of the ground, taking 20 runs off Green’s second over of the powerplay. He did not stop there as he attacked Vaibhav Arora with a series of boundaries, taking CSK’s score to a massive 72 within the powerplay.
Vaibhav Arora had the last laugh against Mhatre’s carnage
After the carnage from young Mhatre, who has been having a spectacular season with the Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders’ most successful pace bowler had to respond with a firm response. He once again bowled a bumper to take him by surprise.
His hard work paid off, as Ayush Mhatre played two consecutive dot balls and looked to clear the fence on another occasion in the final ball of the powerplay. However, Vaibhav had set the CSK batter up as he bowled a bouncer to bring the big leg-side boundary into play. Another safe catch
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