Ruturaj Gaikwad: A captain on borrowed time

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stand at the precipice of yet another season slipping away. The match No. 66 of IPL 2026 against Gujarat Titans is not just another fixture; it is a litmus test for their captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad. With 12 points from 13 games, CSK must win, and win convincingly, to keep their playoff hopes alive. 

Even then, their fate is not entirely in their hands. They must pray for Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings to falter, and for Rajasthan Royals to be comprehensively beaten. Delhi Capitals may match CSK’s points tally, but their net run rate (NRR) is unlikely to surpass them. The equation for the five-time champions is brutal, and the margin for error is nonexistent.

Leadership under the microscope

This season has been Gaikwad’s first full campaign away from the calming shadow of MS Dhoni. The results have been stark. Seven losses and only six wins in 2026 paint a picture of inconsistency and tactical frailty. 

CSK’s away record is particularly distressing: four defeats in six matches, with the seventh away clash looming at the Narendra Modi Stadium against Titans. For a franchise accustomed to dominance, such mediocrity is uncharacteristic, and the spotlight falls squarely on the captain.

The Dhoni effect: Numbers that tell a story

Numbers tell their own story. Gaikwad has registered 14 wins as CSK captain, but eight of those came with Dhoni in the playing XI. That translates to 57.14% of his victories under Dhoni’s influence, and only 42.86% without him. 

The inference is unavoidable: Gaikwad flourishes when Dhoni is around, but struggles to assert himself when left on his own. The question is whether he can truly lead without leaning on Dhoni’s tactical brain.

A longer rope than his predecessor

Since 2024, Gaikwad has captained CSK in 32 matches, winning 14 and losing 18. His win percentage stands at 43.75%, with a loss percentage of 56.25%. For a side with CSK’s storied legacy, those numbers are underwhelming. Comparisons with Ravindra Jadeja’s ill‑fated stint in 2022 are inevitable. 

Jadeja was handed only eight matches before being asked to step down, having managed just two wins. By contrast, Gaikwad has already been afforded a far longer rope, yet the returns remain modest.

The stakes for CSK

Between 2008 and 2023, CSK missed the playoffs only twice. If they fail against Gujarat Titans, it will mark a third consecutive season without a playoff berth. For a franchise synonymous with consistency, that is nothing short of catastrophic.

The aura of invincibility that Dhoni built is fading, and the cracks in leadership are widening. With Sanju Samson now part of the squad, CSK have options, and the odds are stacked heavily against Gaikwad retaining the mantle if results don’t turn.

Gaikwad’s captaincy is no longer a question of potential; it is a question of survival. The numbers are painting a grim picture, and the patience of a franchise built on success is wearing thin. Thursday’s clash against Gujarat Titans is not just about staying alive in the playoffs race; it is about Gaikwad’s credibility as a leader. If CSK stumble again, the narrative may shift irreversibly against Gaikwad, the captain.