Chennai Super Kings’ struggles in the IPL have continued for a third straight season, and former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes the franchise now urgently needs major changes to revive its dominance. Once considered the gold standard of consistency in the tournament, CSK have failed to qualify for the playoffs since IPL 2024, finishing fifth that year before ending at the bottom of the table last season. In IPL 2026, the five-time champions could only manage an eighth-place finish.

Speaking to Sportstar, Manjrekar said the reasons behind CSK’s decline are no longer difficult to identify. According to him, the franchise has remained too static while other teams have evolved with modern T20 cricket.

“There are certain things you have got to do as the right thing. It’s time that they did this,” Sanjay Manjrekar said. “CSK have been quiet for a number of years now. The reasons are very obvious. It is very easy to see what has changed.”

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The former India cricketer suggested that the Chennai Super Kings should seriously rethink their leadership structure heading into the next season. Manjrekar proposed that Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson could become a strong leadership option for CSK, while current skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad should be allowed to focus entirely on his batting.

“I think the leadership can easily go to Sanju Samson, who’s done it before. Just set Ruturaj Gaikwad free and make him the batter that he used to be,” Sanjay Manjrekar explained.

He also questioned the current impact of long-time head coach Stephen Fleming, especially in a season where MS Dhoni was unavailable to influence games on the field. While acknowledging Fleming’s cricketing knowledge, Manjrekar stressed that the franchise now needs fresh ideas and a major reset.

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CSK endured a disappointing IPL 2026 campaign, winning only six matches while suffering eight defeats under Gaikwad’s captaincy. The right-handed batter also struggled personally, scoring 337 runs in 14 innings at an average of 28.08 and a strike rate of 123.45.

For a franchise built on stability and success, the pressure is now mounting on Chennai Super Kings to rebuild quickly and avoid another disappointing IPL season.