The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been in awful form in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. They are in 7th position in the league table. Losing four games out of six matches. Ruturaj Gaikwad has failed to lead the side properly and with the bat as well. Sanju Samson has been asked to be the captain by the fans and many former cricketers.
Former CSK batter Subramanium Badrinath has his say on the captaincy change. The former cricketer believes Ruturaj Gaikwad should be replaced by Sanju Samson as the CSK captain in the middle of the season, as Badrinath believes the leadership role is affecting Ruturaj Gaikwad’s batting performance. Ruturaj Gaikwad has been struggling to make runs and has scored 82 runs in 6 innings.
He’s [Ruturaj Gaikwad] failing terribly as captain- Subramanium Badrinath
Badrinath said, while speaking on his YouTube channel, “It is worth pondering if the CSK management will think about removing him as captain and going to Sanju Samson. 6. It’s not because he’s failing terribly as captain.”
“But the captaincy burden is clearly showing in his batting. You can see it in his face that he’s under immense pressure. Just to offload that pressure, can CSK replace Ruturaj with Sanju as captain?”
Ruturaj needs to start firing – S Badrinath
Ruturaj Gaikwad has never gotten going this season with 28 runs and an average of 13.67, and there has been a fall in the strike rate as well, as he has scored at a strike rate of 112.33. Last season, he also had an average below 30 and played only five games due to injury problems.
“Ruturaj needs to start firing. Six matches is a lot when you are opening and batting in the powerplay to keep failing. His captaincy was at least decent, though in the SRH game. He hasn’t stepped up at all in run-chases.”
CSK desperately need him – S Badrinath on MS Dhoni’s presence
Badrinath says CSK still needs the service of former captain MS Dhoni, given their recent finishing woes against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Despite requiring fewer than 8.5 runs per over in the last ten overs, the Men in Yellow gave up the run chase against SRH.
“Irrespective of what physical issues he has, CSK desperately need him in the death overs, with the way they are struggling. Even now, if MS Dhoni is batting in the 18th over, the bowler is under pressure.”
“Lengths and yorkers will miss, and he will play the helicopter shot. His calmness and composure will mean that even if 16 are needed off the last over with him batting, the bowler will be under pressure,” said Badrinath
The Men in Yellow have also been suffering from injury problems, as Dhoni is out, and now Ayush Mhatre is expected to be out of the tournament with a torn hamstring. Khaleel Ahmed has also been ruled out of the tournament. The franchise is yet to appoint a replacement for the pacer. Dhoni is expected to be back in the next game against the Mumbai Indians.
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