Former India batter Wasim Jaffer didn’t mince his words after Chennai Super Kings’ IPL 2026 loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday, delivering a sharp assessment of CSK’s star signing Kartik Sharma and pointing to larger issues in the team’s execution. CSK suffered a 43-run defeat, once again struggling with big contributions from the top order, and Jaffer was especially critical of Kartik for squandering a key moment in the contest.
Jaffer’s verdict on Kartik Sharma
Kartik, who arrived at CSK for a reported record fee of Rs 14.2 crore, failed to make the sort of impact that his price tag demanded. Jaffer said the batter lacked the necessary “game awareness,” highlighting how Kartik threw away his wicket at a crucial stage.
- Kartik was dismissed after mistiming a slog sweep at an important juncture.
- Jaffer stated that the youngster showed no “game awareness.”
- He also remarked that even CSK’s openers were disappointing, referencing soft dismissals involving Ruturaj Gaikwad and Jos Buttler’s replacement—Samson—without finding control.
- Jaffer added that Sarfaraz did play well, but still got out.
Jaffer summed up his frustration by saying CSK are “far behind,” while stressing that there are “a lot of questions” around the side’s bowling and overall execution. He also questioned how the franchise plans to fix the issues going forward.
CSK’s game plan and “Plan B” concerns
Beyond Kartik’s dismissal, Jaffer went after CSK’s strategic approach. He said the team appeared unable to execute the game plan effectively, and suggested that once Tim David began striking powerfully, CSK seemed to have no alternative options.
- Jaffer believed CSK couldn’t carry out their intended plan properly.
- He suggested CSK looked like they had no “Plan B” after Tim David started hitting their top bowlers.
In his view, it was not just the batting—CSK’s response to momentum swings also came under scrutiny. Jaffer said that although the toss decision and the early bowling looked like they had been made well, the match changed once boundaries became frequent and the flow tilted against CSK.
How the match swung: RCB’s batting power
Jaffer described the turning points of the game, noting that CSK’s bowling started with promise after winning the toss and choosing to bowl first. He acknowledged that Devdutt Padikkal appeared to be under pressure at one stage as well, but said the situation deteriorated when RCB’s batters found rhythm and accelerated.
- CSK won the toss and opted to bowl first, which Jaffer said was a “good call.”
- He felt Devdutt was struggling at one point before the momentum shifted.
- After boundaries started coming, Jaffer said the CSK bowlers had no answers—especially late in the innings.
Key RCB contributions
Jaffer highlighted the impact of RCB’s batting trio and the way they overwhelmed CSK’s bowling unit. Tim David delivered a decisive innings, while Padikkal and Rajat Patidar ensured RCB kept building momentum at regular intervals.
- Tim David played a “brilliant knock.”
- Devdutt Padikkal provided a major boost with back-to-back fifties.
- Rajat Patidar supported David with an unbeaten 19-ball 48.
As the pressure mounted, RCB posted a commanding total of 250 for three, a score that left CSK chasing with limited room for error.
CSK’s chase: top-order failures and third straight loss
In response, CSK’s batting once again failed to fire. They were bowled out for 207 in 19.4 overs, ending the night with a third straight defeat of the season.
- CSK finished on 207 all out in 19.4 overs.
- The loss was CSK’s third consecutive defeat in the IPL 2026 season.
- Jaffer said CSK could not execute their plans and questioned why they didn’t go for “Plan B” when things weren’t working.
At the top of the batting card for RCB, Padikkal struck 50 off 29 balls and Tim David made 70 off 25 deliveries, while the collective assault helped RCB secure a 43-run victory over Super Kings.
