Not all’s going right in the CSK camp at the moment. There’s got to be a problem when despite putting in excess of 200 runs on the board, you get defeated without much ado by your opponents. A concerning situation even visible to the great Ravichandran Ashwin.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes there is little value in putting excessive pressure on the new-look Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after their back-to-back losses at the start of the Indian Premier League 2026 season. The five-time champions were beaten by the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their first home game on April 3, drawing attention to the team’s early-season performances under head coach Stephen Fleming and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Ashwin noted that while there were areas where decision-making could have been better, it is still early in the campaign and the team is adjusting.
He observed that CSK were slightly inconsistent with the ball, conceding some loose deliveries early on before improving towards the end of the innings.
He also suggested that the side could benefit from the return of Dewald Brevis, which may add more balance to the lineup.
Speaking about Sanju Samson, Ashwin highlighted the importance of adapting to conditions, pointing out that surfaces in Chennai differ significantly from those in Jaipur and Ahmedabad. He added that players like Cooper Connolly have also needed time to adjust, and backed Samson to find his rhythm over the next few matches.
Ashwin felt CSK are yet to play to their full potential but said the team has enough quality to improve as the tournament progresses. He also mentioned that their on-field body language could be better, though he expects it to improve with time.
