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Ruturaj Gaikwad is facing fresh criticism as Chennai Super Kings have begun the buildup for the upcoming 2027 season after enduring another disappointing IPL 2026 season.
Actually, Sadagoppan Ramesh has questioned Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy and feels the CSK skipper has not made enough impact since taking over from MS Dhoni before IPL 2024. Earlier, Zaheer Khan reveals his plan after taking charge as CSK head coach.
Sadagoppan Ramesh disappointed with Ruturaj Gaikwad’s IPL 2025 call
CSK has now missed the playoffs in each of the last three seasons under Ruturaj Gaikwad. And the former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh believes that the captain’s focus should have been completely on CSK’s success, especially when the franchise had shown huge faith in him.
Ramesh slammed Gaikwad for making changes in his batting order because of his personal interest in the IPL 2025. Gaikwad played only five matches that season and did not open the innings even once. Instead, he batted at No. 3, breaking a successful opening combo with Devon Conway.
Sadagoppan Ramesh said in a video posted on his YouTube channel, "Where he disappointed me most was in IPL 2025. That season, he played only five matches but never opened. We never saw the Conway-Gaikwad opening combination. Despite shining as an opener in the IPL, Ruturaj was hell-bent on batting at No. 3 that season.”
Ruturaj Gaikwad hurt Chennai Super Kings because he wanted India comeback: Sadagoppan Ramesh slams Ruturaj Gaikwad
The former Indian cricketer accused Gaikwad of changing his batting position because he wanted to find a way back into the India national cricket team after Shubman Gill returned to the national side. Ramesh feels this decision hurt CSK and that Gaikwad should have first chosen the batting position that gave his franchise the best chance of winning.
Ramesh further explained, “The main reason for that was that he decided Shubman Gill's comeback into the team closed his door. Because of that, he wanted to bat at No. 3 to try and get into the Indian team that way, and that badly hurt CSK.”
“You have to first think about the franchise that signed you for 18 crores, especially as a captain. His first priority as captain had to be ensuring he bats in the position that's most beneficial for CSK. When a franchise has trusted you with captaincy, your mind has to first operate on how to achieve success here.” Amid this, Shubman Gill cleared to play 1st ODI vs West Indies.
Sadagoppan Ramesh raises possibility of Ruturaj Gaikwad losing CSK captaincy
Gaikwad’s captaincy record with CSK has come under the scanner. He has won only 14 of his 33 matches as captain in the IPL. The situation became even more difficult in IPL 2026. The five-time champions finished eighth in the table after winning only six of their 14 matches.
Gaikwad also struggled with the bat, scoring 337 runs in 14 matches at an average of 28.10. Ramesh feels that even after getting more than two seasons to prove himself as captain, Gaikwad has not done anything memorable as the Chennai Super Kings’ captain.
With the franchise already appointing Zaheer Khan as their new head coach, Ramesh wondered whether CSK is mulling over replacing Gaikwad as well.
He added, “Having changed the head coach, the next question is whether Ruturaj Gaikwad will be replaced as captain. Forget the numbers, but if you just look at high moments as captain, he has none in my eyes. He rarely shone as captain.”
