IPL 2026: CSK Seek Early Turnaround as Ruturaj Gaikwad Backs Young Brigade

The Chennai Super Kings find themselves on an awkward pitch early in IPL 2026, with the campaign barely a week old yet already carrying a sense of urgency ahead of their clash against the Punjab Kings on Friday.

There is a growing feeling that Chennai must secure a win quickly before the season begins to slip beyond their control once again.

Their next fixture at home offers some comfort, given that Chepauk has traditionally been considered an almost unbreachable fortress. However, concerns persist as the side looks to improve across all departments.

Speaking ahead of the match against PBKS, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad said he is not trying to impose himself on a relatively young and inexperienced squad.

Instead, he emphasised the importance of allowing players the freedom to grow.

"The excitement is there but at the same time, there's a lot of difference between experienced players and inexperienced players. So, you have to allow them to express themselves. You have to make sure that they are in a good headspace," he said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

CSK fielded as many as five debutants in their opening game, including Sarfaraz Khan and Rs 14.20 crore wicketkeeper batter Kartik Sharma.

The match also marked the first time in franchise history that neither MS Dhoni nor Suresh Raina featured in the playing XI.

Raina had retired from all formats of the game in 2022, while Dhoni is currently sidelined with a calf strain and is expected to be out for two weeks.

What Went Wrong for Chennai Super Kings Batting Line-up in Guwahati?

The young players struggled in their first outing, with Mhatre, Kartik and Sarfaraz failing to deliver with the bat.

Sanju Samson, the T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament, also managed only a single-digit score in his debut appearance for the Men in Yellow.

The team batted under challenging conditions in Guwahati, where the pitch had spent considerable time under covers.

Despite the setbacks, Gaikwad remained unfazed and reiterated his belief in giving youngsters the space to adapt to the demands of the competition, noting that it marks the beginning of many of their careers.

(With inputs from ANI)