Subramaniam Badrinath, a former Indian cricketer, has criticized Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad for his underwhelming performance in the ongoing IPL 2026 season. In a recent match against the Gujarat Titans, Gaikwad managed to score 74 runs off 60 balls, but his innings lacked the impact needed for a match-winning performance, contributing to CSK's total of only 158 runs and an eight-wicket defeat. Badrinath pointed out that Gaikwad has not delivered a single match-winning performance throughout the season, with his average remaining under 26 and a strike rate of 121.08 across eight matches. He emphasized the importance of the opening partnership, which has been a significant weakness for CSK this season, with their highest partnership reaching only 30 runs. In contrast, Gaikwad's opening partner, Sanju Samson, has excelled with two centuries, showcasing the disparity in their performances. Currently, CSK sits sixth on the points table, having secured only three victories in eight matches.