Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has blamed injuries as one of the main reasons behind the team’s failure to reach the IPL 2026 playoffs. He said even a champion side like RCB would struggle if three or four key players missed most of the season.
CSK did lose several important players during the tournament. MS Dhoni, Nathan Ellis, Ayush Mhatre and Khaleel Ahmed were unavailable for significant periods, affecting the team’s balance and overall performance.
However, many fans on social media believe injuries were not the only reason behind CSK’s disappointing campaign. The discussion has now shifted towards the team’s batting performances and on-field leadership.
A section of supporters criticised Ruturaj Gaikwad’s batting throughout the season. Many felt he scored at a slower pace in crucial matches and did not provide the aggressive starts expected in modern T20 cricket. Some even compared his approach to Test cricket.
As captain and one of CSK’s senior players, expectations were naturally high. Fans expected him to lead from the front with both his batting and captaincy, but many believe that consistency was missing during IPL 2026.
While injuries undoubtedly affected the team’s campaign, many supporters feel CSK must also review the performances of the players who remained available throughout the season. The debate over whether injuries alone caused the team’s exit continues to divide fans.
