What on earth is happening to Ruturaj Gaikwad?
While players like Sanju Samson are setting the stage on fire for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), their captain is visibly struggling to find his rhythm. In modern T20 cricket, particularly in the IPL, openers dictate the tempo. With explosive batters like Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and Sanju Samson consistently giving their teams flying starts, Gaikwad’s slow approach is sticking out like a sore thumb—and becoming CSK’s biggest weak point.
Let’s dive into the tactical dilemmas, the crushing stats, and the whispers of a mid-season captaincy change that are dominating IPL 2026 discussions.
The Powerplay Problem: A Tale of Two Paces
To understand the magnitude of the issue, we just need to look at the recent match. In the first three overs of the powerplay, Sanju Samson smashed a breathtaking 45 runs. In stark contrast, Gaikwad faced the exact same number of deliveries (18 balls) and managed a meager 15 runs.
When a captain consumes the powerplay without accelerating, it doesn’t just waste fielding restrictions; it puts immense psychological pressure on the middle order. This glaring inability to utilize the first six overs has naturally led fans and pundits to question his place at the top of the order.
The Captaincy Averages: A Grim Reality
If we look at the batting averages of IPL captains this season, Gaikwad’s position is alarming. He currently sits second from the bottom:
- Rajat Patidar (RCB): 71.00
- Shreyas Iyer (PBKS): 68.50
- Shubman Gill (GT): 54.50
- Suryakumar Yadav (MI): 51.00
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK): 14.00
- Axar Patel (DC): 1.00
Axar Patel is a bowling all-rounder. Gaikwad is a specialist opening batter. Averaging 14 as an opener is simply unsustainable for a franchise eyeing the trophy.
The Positional Dilemma: Time for a Tactical Shift?
There is a growing consensus that technically sound, classical players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill are better suited for the Number 3 spot in T20s.
Currently, they open the innings, bat at a sluggish strike rate of 100-120 for the first 15-20 balls to “get their eye in,” and often lose their wicket just as they try to accelerate. This outdated approach costs teams an estimated 25-30 runs off their final total.
The Ideal Blueprint:
- CSK: Drop Gaikwad to No. 3. Open with the aggressive duo of Sanju Samson and Ayush Mhatre.
- DC: Move KL Rahul to No. 3. Utilize Pathum Nissanka and Prithvi Shaw at the top.
- GT: Open with Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan, slotting Shubman Gill at No. 3.
Adjusting these roles could unlock massive potential for these franchises.
Heavy Criticism from Cricket Legends
Even though CSK finally returned to winning ways against the Delhi Capitals at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Gaikwad’s intent remains the hottest topic in Indian cricket. Former Indian legends like Aakash Chopra, Irfan Pathan, and Anil Kumble have publicly criticized his approach.
Aakash Chopra didn’t hold back, pointing out the massive gap between Gaikwad and the world’s best. “While other modern T20 openers are striking at 178 with averages above 50, Ruturaj is struggling at a strike rate of just 103 this IPL,” Chopra noted. Scoring 15 off 18 balls in the powerplay is, frankly, an injustice to a team like CSK. Chopra further added that an explosive youngster like Mhatre would be a much better partner for Sanju’s aggressive style.
The Chepauk Masterclass & A Shift in Leadership?
After a string of defeats in IPL 2026, CSK finally tasted victory against Delhi. While injured stars like Dewald Brevis returned to the squad, they weren’t even needed with the bat.
Sanju Samson single-handedly dismantled the DC bowling attack, scoring a magnificent 115 off just 58 balls*. It was a flawless reply to his critics.
But the most fascinating storyline wasn’t just Sanju’s century; it was the visible shift in team dynamics. Gaikwad felt almost entirely absent from the game. While CSK bowled, Gaikwad was frequently seen fielding on the boundary ropes. The camera lenses—and the players’ attention—were firmly fixed on Sanju Samson.
Sanju was the one making the tactical decisions, setting the fields, and guiding the bowlers. We saw him giving direct instructions to Noor Ahmad right before the spinner picked up Ashutosh’s crucial wicket. In earlier matches, Sanju seemed reluctant to offer input to Gaikwad, staying on the periphery. Now, he looks every bit the field general.
This has sparked massive speculation: Has CSK management quietly initiated a captaincy transition? Asking Sanju to take over on-field duties suggests that a formal mid-season change in leadership could be right around the corner.
A Trip Down Memory Lane: The 2020 “Spark” Comeback
It is rare to see Ruturaj Gaikwad go through such a low phase. Historically, he is one of the most difficult batters to dislodge, known for his incredible consistency and his 2021 Orange Cap run. He is a player who has scored over 500 runs in three separate seasons.
Before we write him off entirely, it’s worth remembering a famous flashback.
During the 2020 IPL, after a tough loss to Rajasthan Royals where Gaikwad got out for a duck, MS Dhoni controversially stated that the youngsters in the squad “lacked the spark.” The internet erupted, with fans harshly criticizing Dhoni (even bringing up how Sourav Ganguly once backed a young, struggling Dhoni).
But in the very next match against KKR, chasing 172, Gaikwad played a match-winning half-century. During the post-match presentation, Dhoni completely changed his tune. He praised Gaikwad’s quiet resilience, noting how he bounced back after battling a severe COVID-19 infection. “He doesn’t speak much. Only he knows what kind of pressure he was going through,” Dhoni remarked, cementing Gaikwad as a core part of CSK’s future.
Final Thoughts: Will History Repeat Itself?
Ruturaj Gaikwad has a history of answering his harshest critics with his bat. He is a notoriously slow starter who usually catches fire as the tournament progresses.
While the stats are currently against him and his captaincy seems to be slipping away, true cricket fans know better than to count out a champion. The coming matches will reveal whether he can reinvent his game for the modern T20 era, or if a new era at CSK has officially begun.
