Chennai: Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad is facing mounting criticism following the team’s fourth defeat in IPL 2026, with former India cricketers questioning his captaincy decisions after a narrow loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad.

CSK fell short by 10 runs while chasing 195, finishing at 184/8 on Saturday. The defeat marked their fourth loss in six matches, raising concerns over the team’s consistency and leadership amid ongoing injury setbacks.

Aakash Chopra questions bowling decisions

Former India opener Aakash Chopra was particularly critical of Gaikwad’s handling of the bowling attack, calling some of the decisions “beyond understanding”.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra pointed out that pacer Mukesh Choudhary, who was on a hat-trick at one stage, was not brought back to bowl another over — a move he found surprising.

He also highlighted that Anshul Kamboj, who has been in good form alongside Jamie Overton, did not complete his full quota of overs.

Chopra further criticised the decision to persist with part-time bowler Matthew Short during the powerplay. Despite bowling two decent overs, Short was given a third, which proved expensive as it conceded 25 runs.

“Even top bowlers struggle in the powerplay. Giving a part-timer a third over at that stage was a risky call,” Chopra noted.

Ashwin points to batting pressure

Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin also weighed in, shifting focus to Gaikwad’s batting.

Ashwin suggested that the CSK skipper missed a crucial opportunity to regain form during the chase. With a strong start provided by Ayush Mhatre in the powerplay, Gaikwad had the platform to settle in and build a steady innings.

Instead, he fell without making a significant contribution, adding to concerns about his form and decision-making under pressure.

Ashwin remarked that Gaikwad appeared mentally burdened, with signs of pressure affecting his clarity at the crease.

CSK struggle for consistency

Chennai Super Kings, one of the most successful franchises in IPL history, have struggled to find rhythm this season. Injuries and inconsistent performances have disrupted their campaign, leaving them in a challenging position in the points table.

Despite flashes of brilliance, the team has failed to close out matches — a trend that has drawn scrutiny towards both strategy and execution.

Match summary

Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a competitive total of 194/—, setting CSK a target of 195. While CSK showed intent in patches during the chase, they were unable to maintain momentum in key phases of the innings.

The loss underlined issues in both bowling management and batting stability, areas that critics believe need urgent attention.

Leadership under spotlight

As captain, Gaikwad now finds himself under increased pressure to turn things around. Leadership in the IPL often comes with intense scrutiny, especially for a team with CSK’s legacy.

Experts believe that sharper tactical decisions and improved personal form will be crucial if Gaikwad is to guide the team back to winning ways.

Conclusion

With four losses in six matches, Chennai Super Kings face a critical phase in their IPL 2026 campaign. The criticism from experienced voices like Aakash Chopra and Ravichandran Ashwin highlights the urgency for improvement. How Ruturaj Gaikwad responds — both as a captain and batter — could define CSK’s season going forward.