The online backlash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has reached a massive boiling point tonight (May 18, 2026), with social media platforms completely flooded with heavy trolling following his performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Chepauk. Fans and critics on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit are furiously demanding that Gaikwad radically transform his approach or step aside, as his ultra-passive opening stint has added immense pressure on the rest of the lineup. During the critical Match 63 on Monday evening, Gaikwad won the toss and opted to bat first on a dry Chepauk pitch. What followed was a highly restricted inning that acted as the final straw for frustrated netizens.

Aggrieved fans claim that Gaikwad prioritises protecting his personal average and anchoring a spot in the team over maximizing the powerplay restrictions.

Fans are posting satirical images of red cherry balls, sightscreens, and slip cordons, jokingly tweeting that Gaikwad misread the calendar and thought he was leading Maharashtra in a Ranji Trophy fixture instead of a critical, must-win IPL evening. Loyalists urge critics to recognize the massive psychological weight Gaikwad is carrying. With MS Dhoni out of action tonight due to a calf injury and an unproven domestic middle order waiting in the dugout, defenders state that an early dismissal from Gaikwad would cause a total team collapse.

CSK lose their top-order for just 100 runs

The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bowling attack heavily restricted the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during the middle overs of Match 63 at MA Chidambaram Stadium on May 18, 2026. Choosing to bat first on a sluggish home pitch backfired for CSK as their top-order collapsed. Pat Cummins completely dominated the powerplay and middle overs by bagging 3 wickets for just 16 runs across his first 3 overs, single-handedly breaking the spine of Chennai's batting order. The dynamic opener, Sanju Samson started with a blistering strike rate of 207.69, taking apart Praful Hinge by smashing four boundaries and a six. However, Pat Cummins struck on his very third delivery of the match in the 3rd over, tempting Samson with a hard length ball that took the outside edge straight to wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan.

Entering with intent, Urvil Patel aggressively pulled Cummins for two massive sixes to briefly revive the run rate. His stay was cut short in the 5th over by Sakib Hussain, who bowled a clever, gripping off-cutter that stayed incredibly low on the slow Chepauk track, clean-bowling the batter. Placed into the team to counter-attack, Kartik Sharma punished Hinge's loose 8th over, smashing a deep mid-wicket six and two fours to drag CSK to 79/2. Just as he looked dangerous, Cummins outsmarted him in the 10th over with an off-cutter that Sharma holed out to Nitish Kumar Reddy at deep cover. The CSK captain played a highly uncharacteristic, agonizingly slow anchor role. He failed to hit a single boundary in his 21-ball stay. Right after the 100-run milestone was crossed in the 12th over, Cummins delivered a sharp, slower-ball bouncer around the helmet; a visibly frustrated Gaikwad top-edged the pull directly to deep mid-wicket. The onus now falls heavily on Dewald Brevis and the incoming Shivam Dube to orchestrate a late-innings recovery.