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    IPL winner launches scathing attack on Ruturaj Gaikwad after 5-wicket loss in CSK vs SRH IPL 2026 match

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    Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has slammed Ruturaj Gaikwad’s sluggish batting approach following Chennai Super Kings (CSK)’s loss to SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) by five wickets in IPL 2026 must-win game on Monday, May 18. The cricketer-turned-commentator has urged the Super Kings management to reconsider their decision regarding captaincy ahead of IPL 2027. The remarks came after Gaikwad scored 15 runs off 21 balls against the SunRisers.

    While expressing his disappointment over Gaikwad promoting himself above Ayush Mhatre in 2026, Kaif said on his YouTube channel:

    “Going forward, they need to think about whether Gaikwad should captain or not. That’s because such captains can’t take the team forward, can’t create a legacy. That’s because they are in a shell of their batting to score their own runs.

    He continued:

    “Defensive approach. I didn’t like the fact that Gaikwad would play too slowly. When you are batting first, the approach Gaikwad played, I do not agree with that. That’s because you’re the skipper of such a big franchise, and it’s a knockout game.

    “In a do-or-die match, the leader plays aggressively. That’s because the team runs behind him. He sets the tone. You are the opener; you can’t compromise your game. In T20, it doesn’t happen. He didn’t score a boundary. There was no intent of hitting a boundary,” he added.

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    “In knockout games, the real character comes out” – Mohammad Kaif picks next CSK captain ahead of IPL 2027

    Mohammad Kaif, who won the inaugural IPL title in 2008, believes that Sanju Samson should replace Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK skipper for IPL 2027. The 45-year-old pointed out how CSK hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2024 under Gaikwad’s captaincy (subject to 2026 qualification scenario). He said in the same video:

    “You need captains like Dhoni. Why did he create a legacy? That’s because he worked more on the betterment of the team. Can Sanju Samson do captaincy in the future? It’s because we saw Gaikwad’s captaincy in the last 2-3 years. In knockout games, the real character comes out. He could have changed his strike rate in this game. He wasted an opportunity.

    “The captain can’t be defensive. I think you can make Sanju Samson captain next year. We’ve seen that for 3-4 years. There was no extraordinary captaincy. (On Gaikwad saying he’s proud of the team) I don’t think they tried enough. Let’s see what will happen next year.”

    As a captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad has secured 14 wins in 32 matches, including 18 losses. Meanwhile, Samson had led Rajasthan Royals (RR) to 33 victories in 67 games between 2021-25.

    CSK will now lock horns with the Gujarat Titans (GT) in their final league game at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday, May 21.