Ruturaj Gaikwad drops a dolly (Source: Screengrab)
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s time in IPL 2026 turned from bad to worse on Tuesday evening during Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) meeting with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 22 of the ongoing edition at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
CSK captain is having a miserable IPL 2026 with the bat, and the situation worsened when he dropped a simple catch, off Sunil Narine.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Spills A Dolly; Sunil Narine Spared
For the first time in IPL 2026, KKR asked Sunil Narine to open the innings. The three-time winner of IPL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award came along with Finn Allen with an aim to kick off the proceedings in an aggressive manner.
However, it did not go well, as Allen, the hard-hitting Kiwi, fell for a three-ball 1. After that, Narine was all set to be gone quickly, during the fourth over of KKR’s innings, when CSK pacer Anshul Kamboj was bowling at Chepauk.
Narine wanted to play Kamboj over mid-off, only to find it straight to Ruturaj Gaikwad. The CSK captain had a simple job: just grab it without any risk. However, he made a mess out of it, showing the world that he is under serious pressure.
In fact, the body language after the dropped catch from Gaikwad indicated that he was actually facing a lot of pressure inside.
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Ruturaj Gaikwad's Horrible Form With The Bat In IPL 2026
Ruturaj Gaikwad is having the worst time of his life in IPL 2026 while leading CSK. He made 6, 28, 7 and 15 so far in the competition, and there is no confidence as well while he stays at the crease.
Of course, CSK captain’s woeful form has been an area of concern for the five-time IPL champions. Probably, he might demote himself to No. 3 from the time going forward.
CSK, meanwhile, are at the ninth on the IPL points table, only above KKR.
CSK Vs KKR Hang In Balance
Earlier in the match, CSK closed on 192/5 after Ajinkya Rahane asked them to bat first. Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis batted well, but the others could have done better to take their side at least past 200.
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Not to forget, CSK were 72/2 at the end of the Powerplay. Therefore, they should have finished the innings with a better score.
Coming to the chase, KKR lost Finn Allen early, and Sunil Narine could not last long despite the dropped catch off Ruturaj Gaikwad. With the help of two sixes and as many fours, Narine made 24 off 17 deliveries.
At this moment, Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi are in the middle, batting on 24* and 27* respectively, as KKR are 78/2 after 9.1 overs. They still need 115 runs from 65 balls.
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