Former Indian batter Subramaniam Badrinath slammed Ruturaj Gaikwad after Chennai Super Kings suffered an eight-wicket loss against Gujarat Titans at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday. Badrinath said the CSK skipper hasn’t given a single match-winning performance thus far in the ongoing IPL 2026.

Gaikwad meandered to 74 runs off 60 balls against GT as CSK were restricted to 158-7 in their 20 overs. The CSK captain has scored 178 runs in eight matches of IPL 2026 at an average of 25.43 and a strike rate of 121.08.

Badrinath said on his YouTube Channel, “Ruturaj has done nothing impactful at all this season. He hasn’t given even one match-winning performance. How long can the wait be for him to rediscover form? It’s been eight matches, and the season is almost finished.”

He added, “Ruturaj Gaikwad has been in poor form. Even this innings was laboured. Guys elsewhere are scoring 50’s and 100s of 15 and 30 balls. But Ruturaj is batting with no intent.”

The former CSK batter said Gaikwad’s poor form has hurt the franchise’s opening partnership. Samson has been in decent form as he has scored 304 runs in eight games.

“It’s important to see how openers perform as a pair and not just individuals. 30 has been the highest opening partnership for CSK this season. The wicket can’t be blamed when the opposition won in 16 overs on the same wicket. The opening partnership has been a big letdown, and Ruturaj’s form has to be seriously questioned. Samson has still done his bit with two centuries,” said Badrinath (via the aforementioned source).

Chennai Super Kings will next take on Mumbai Indians at the Chepauk Stadium on Saturday.