Chennai Super Kings’ IPL 2026 campaign has come to a close, with the franchise unable to secure a place in the playoffs despite carrying the weight of recent history. From the opening stretch, the side battled multiple injury concerns that disrupted plans and ultimately lingered throughout the league stage. Even with that context, CSK are typically expected to finish inside the top four, especially in a season where experience and consistency often matter most. This year, however, the Gaikwad-led outfit managed only 12 points from 14 matches, finishing outside the playoff positions.
CSK’s season began with a rough start, losing their first three games. They then steadied the ship and put together a more encouraging sequence of results, keeping their playoff hopes alive for a period. But the momentum didn’t last—when the league phase reached its final stretch, the team suffered defeat in each of their last three matches, leaving them with a season that ended disappointingly after being in contention mid-way through.
CSK captaincy debate after the season
Once CSK’s postseason chances were over, former India batter and CSK player Subramaniam Badrinath weighed in with a clear view on what should change before the next edition. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he argued that Ruturaj Gaikwad should not continue as captain and suggested Sanju Samson as the more suitable leader for the team.
- Badrinath stated that, in his opinion, the captaincy role should pass to Sanju Samson rather than remain with Ruturaj Gaikwad.
- He said Gaikwad’s value as a batter is too significant for CSK to dilute with the added workload of captaincy.
- Badrinath added that Samson is a better fit for leadership responsibilities, while Gaikwad should focus primarily on batting.
- He suggested that removing Gaikwad from captaincy would allow him to deliver at his best, framing it as a decision that would benefit both the player and the franchise.
- Badrinath described it as a non-punitive change, saying it would not be a harsh call if Gaikwad is relieved of the captaincy duties.
- He pointed out that captaincy can impact elite players too, noting that even legends such as Sachin Tendulkar have faced similar challenges.
- Badrinath explained that for players who are highly intense and prone to thinking deeply, it can be difficult to mentally switch off captaincy responsibilities while still performing as a batter.
- He concluded that balancing batting demands with leadership tasks is not straightforward, and that the ability to compartmentalize varies by individual.
- To support his argument, Badrinath referenced examples from other teams and leaders, saying MS Dhoni handled the dual responsibility effectively from the start, and that Rohit Sharma also seemed naturally equipped for the role.
- He further remarked that even in the current IPL landscape, leadership and batting excellence do not always sit together, mentioning Virat Kohli’s absence from RCB captaincy and the way Patidar is managing the role while Kohli continues to be among the world’s top T20 batters.
- Badrinath ended by saying a change in captaincy can create a meaningful difference in performance, based on how well a player can separate responsibilities.
With CSK’s 2026 season ending outside the playoff places, the captaincy conversation is likely to intensify as the franchise looks ahead—particularly on whether Gaikwad should remain in charge or be allowed to concentrate purely on batting for the next campaign.
