Ruturaj Gaikwad's leadership of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is facing intense scrutiny following two consecutive losses at the start of the IPL 2026 season. Former CSK players, including S Badrinath, have criticized Gaikwad's tactics, while others, like former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull, suggest that the arrival of Sanju Samson could threaten Gaikwad's position as captain. Despite scoring 209 runs in CSK's first home game against the Punjab Kings, the team suffered a crushing defeat, further complicating Gaikwad's captaincy. Doull noted that Gaikwad has lost 13 of 21 matches he has led since taking over in 2024, raising concerns about his future. The pressure on Gaikwad is compounded by the fact that Samson, who was traded to CSK for ₹18 crore from the Rajasthan Royals, is seen as a potential successor to the legendary MS Dhoni. Doull and former England captain Michael Vaughan discussed how Gaikwad might feel threatened by Samson's presence, especially after a poor start to the season. On the flip side, Samson also faces immense pressure to perform following his high-profile transfer and two early dismissals in the season.