Ruturaj Gaikwad’s personal struggles were emblematic of a tough season for Chennai Super Kings. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Chennai Super Kings’ IPL 2026 review makes for grim reading. 

For a franchise built on legacy and consistency, the five-time champion looked confused by its own muddled tactics. Having missed the playoffs for three consecutive years, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s men were always behind the eight-ball in their pursuit of a top-four spot.

Finishing on 12 points, the CSK campaign had a turbulent take-off and a terrible landing, bookended by three straight losses at the start and finish. 

It certainly didn’t help that the team’s growing injury list was in a constant tussle with its number of wins. 

CSK rarely made optimum use of whoever was fit and available, evidenced by its reluctance to play Akeal Hosein. Five of CSK’s six victories came in the seven matches that the left-arm spinner took part in. The excuse of not having an overseas spot also doesn’t hold water as Super Kings often played with three foreigners. 

Head coach Stephen Fleming never cracked the Impact Player rule. The most baffling deployment of the substitute was when Sarfaraz Khan was hastily sent in to bat in the fourth over of the first innings against Gujarat Titans when CSK had lost only two wickets.

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Skipper Ruturaj’s timid approach (337 runs, 123.44 strike-rate) not only made CSK’s PowerPlay toothless but also put unnecessary pressure on Sanju Samson. 

The return on investment on 14.20-crore youngsters Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer couldn’t have been more different. While the wicketkeeper-batter was given a long run at No. 4 (295 runs in 11 innings), the all-rounder batted too low (90 runs off 67 balls) and hardly bowled (two overs). 

Anshul Kamboj, who was the first to take 10 wickets in the death overs, also holds the blemished record of being the only one to concede 500 runs in the season.

Then there was the M.S. Dhoni saga. The 44-year-old, who would’ve been the fourth player to feature in all IPL seasons, did not play and did not travel with the team for most away games. The calf injury, supposed to sideline him for two weeks, took time to heal before a sore thumb took over. 

When asked if CSK was hopeful of Dhoni playing IPL 2027, bowling coach Eric Simons replied: “Are you seriously asking me that question? Only M.S. will know when he’s ready and he’ll decide in the best interest of the team.”

After the season it has endured, CSK will have more questions than answers.

Published on May 22, 2026