The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are off to a strong start in IPL 2026 with two consecutive victories, but captain Ruturaj Gaikwad's performance has been a cause for concern. In five matches, Gaikwad has managed only 63 runs, with a top score of 28. His recent scores of 6, 28, 7, 15, and 7 have drawn criticism from former all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who believes Gaikwad needs to adopt a more aggressive batting style or consider batting at No. 3 to alleviate the pressure of opening. R. Ashwin also weighed in, suggesting that Gaikwad should focus on playing more down the ground to improve his timing and avoid getting caught early in his innings. With the team performing well, the focus remains on whether Gaikwad can turn around his form to contribute more significantly to CSK's success.