The fight for a Top 4 finish in the IPL 2026 is getting sharper by the week, and Chennai Super Kings are among the franchises quietly climbing back into contention. Under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK have turned their campaign around after a brutal start.
Chennai began the season by dropping their first three matches, but they have since gathered momentum and now occupy 6th place with 10 points from 10 games. Their latest statement came in Delhi, where they thumped Delhi Capitals by 8 wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Quick facts
- CSK are back in the hunt for a Top 4 spot after a mid-season resurgence.
- Chennai are 6th in the standings with 10 points from 10 matches.
- They beat Delhi Capitals by 8 wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
- Delhi Capitals are under pressure after the loss and sit in 7th place.
- DC need to win all four remaining matches to keep playoff hopes alive.
That Delhi defeat has also sparked fresh debate around DC’s captain, Axar Patel. With another loss piling pressure on the side, questions were raised about his handling of the match after winning the toss.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who served as a commentator and expert analyst, pointed to Axar’s call as a major turning point. Ashwin argued that the skipper failed to properly read the conditions, particularly given the way the pitch behaved leading into the game.
Ashwin also took aim at Axar’s overall output with the bat this season. He described Axar’s batting as a “complete letdown,” saying DC’s middle order could not convert strong moments into a defendable position, especially with opener KL Rahul not being backed adequately.
On the toss decision itself, Ashwin questioned why DC chose to bat first. He noted that rain had affected the pitch in Delhi both on match days, leaving the wicket under cover, and suggested the conditions were not ideal for a first-innings approach.
“Axar looked okay with the ball; his batting has been a complete letdown this year. And for the last two days, there has been rain in Delhi. The wicket was under covers. How can you bat? They gave away the game to CSK. If Delhi had bowled, they might have ended up winning this game,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
DC’s 155 and the uphill defence
Ashwin’s critique resonated with the match context as well. DC struggled in their first innings, posting only 155 at their home venue, a total that made it hard for their bowlers to protect the score.
With the chase opening up, Sanju Samson played a key role for CSK, scoring 87. His innings guided the visitors to the target comfortably, completing the win with 15 balls remaining.
Axar’s batting woes continued to draw criticism as well. Despite the expectation for him to contribute before the match, he could manage just 2 runs off 6 balls—another single-digit return that only deepened concerns.
The season numbers underline the mounting scrutiny. In seven innings so far, Axar has managed 33 runs at a strike rate of roughly 90, and that has added to the conversation surrounding his INR 16.50 crore price tag as the leader of the Capitals.
Ashwin maintained that DC started the campaign as a strong, seasoned group, but argued they have surrendered points too easily on more than one occasion. He suggested that these repeated errors—especially in decision-making around conditions—could prove costly as the league stage reaches its final stretch.
He also felt DC missed an opportunity in the playing plan for that kind of surface. Ashwin argued they should have leaned on a proven impact option, specifically pointing to left-handed batter Abishek Porel as a better fit for the circumstances.
“Talk to the curator”
Beyond tactics, Ashwin urged Axar to improve his preparation and communication with key people around the venue, including the curator. He said stronger relationships can help a captain understand the wicket and conditions more accurately before making calls on the field.
“If you want impact, you can go towards a left-hander like Abishek Porel. They missed a bit of a trick; even the toss was not ideal for them. I think they made way too many mistakes. They are a very good team, good squad, and good players, but they’ve found just another reason to lose. Axar should talk to the curator, share a bond, and ask about the wicket and conditions,” Ashwin added.
With the loss, Delhi Capitals are now in a tight spot, sitting 7th on the table. Their path to the playoffs is narrow: they would need to win all four of their remaining matches to strengthen their case for qualification this season.
