Ruturaj Gaikwad [Source: AFP]Chennai Super Kings (CSK) faced another major setback after losing their final home game of IPL 2026 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Monday. As a result, this defeat added to what has already been a disappointing IPL season for CSK.The team is now likely to miss out on a place in the top four during the 2026 campaign. Because of this poor performance, questions are now being raised about the team’s leadership and future plans.Ruturaj Gaikwad Under PressureAlthough CSK have several areas that need improvement, much of the attention has been on captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Both his batting form and captaincy decisions have come under criticism this season.Notably, Ruturaj Gaikwad had a difficult tournament with the bat. In 13 matches, he scored 321 runs at an average of 29.18. In addition, his strike rate of 120.68 was considered below expectations for a top-order batter in T20 cricket. He also managed to score only two half-centuries during the season.Since he was expected to carry forward the legacy of former captain MS Dhoni, fans and experts had hoped for stronger performances from him. However, the season did not go as planned.Former IPL Star Suggests Leadership Change at CSKFormer India cricketer Manoj Tiwary believes the Super Kings may need a new captain in the future. Tiwary, who won the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012, shared his views during a discussion on Cricbuzz after CSK’s loss to SRH.According to Tiwary, Ruturaj’s poor batting form has affected his captaincy. He also said that instead of trying to replace MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad should focus on creating his own identity as a leader."You said Ruturaj needs to fill his (Dhoni's) shoes. I feel there isn't any shoe of that size yet. He should focus on building his own legacy, and for that, he has to do extensive research on his past matches and identify where he needs to improve, and only after that can he prepare to be a captain next season. A captain can only be positive when he himself is scoring runs. But he isn't scoring runs. He is lacking that fluency," he said during the discussion.Furthermore, Tiwary also spoke about the importance of Dhoni’s presence in the team."As of now, we know CSK can win matches without Dhoni, but if they change the captain, the wicketkeeper, nothing can replace his absence on the field. But rest assured, it has been confirmed that they can win matches without him. They now need to consider how to build the team," he added.Also Read: CSK Coach Refuses To Blame Ruturaj Gaikwad For Painful Knock At ChepaukSanju Samson Seen As Possible SuccessorInterestingly, Manoj Tiwary believes Sanju Samson could become CSK’s captain in the future. Samson has already shown his leadership skills while captaining Rajasthan Royals in previous IPL seasons."Let's see if he remains the captain next season, because I feel that Samson is in the fray. And it will be a good decision as well. If Chennai brought him for a specific reason, they might see him as a leader. Gaikwad has been the captain for two seasons, and that's why they extended that period this season. But Samson could be the skipper next year. Irrespective of where they finish, they have to decide, and Samson is the best person because he led RR as well and is a good batsman as well," he said.Are CSK Still In The Playoff Race?Despite the five-wicket defeat against SRH, CSK are still mathematically alive in the IPL playoff race. Their next match will be against Gujarat Titans on May 21.However, the Super Kings not only need to defeat Gujarat Titans but also depend on results from other matches to qualify. At the same time, teams like PBKS, Rajasthan Royals, KKR, and Delhi Capitals are also fighting for the fourth playoff spot. Therefore, CSK’s chances remain difficult, but they are not completely out of the tournament yet.Also Read: "Karma Never Forgets": Ishan Kishan Belted By CSK Fans For Cold Instagram Post
