After the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) poor run in IPL 2026, former India player turned commentator Aakash Chopra has picked Ruturaj Gaikwad’s performances as an improvement area. He also added that the CSK captain cannot have another poor season with the bat. With 12 points from 14 games, CSK finished eighth in IPL 2026, whereas Gaikwad scored 337 runs at a below-par strike rate of 123.44 in 14 innings this season as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “They can definitely do better. Why can’t they do better? However, what all will they have to correct? One is that Ruturaj Gaikwad will have to think about intent, as to what he wants to do. He cannot have a season like this. It’s a fact that runs won’t be scored at times, but it cannot be an intentless season. They will have to change that one thing. The middle order will have to be strengthened a little. You might bring in Hardik Pandya for that. They could focus on an Indian option in spin because, suddenly, it gives you more options.”

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However, Aakash Chopra also questioned the Chennai Super Kings for buying Matthew Short as their second overseas batter in the IPL 2026 auction as well.

“I felt the biggest flaw in this team was that you picked only two overseas batters, and they were not like-for-like. Dewald Brevis plays down the order, and Matthew Short plays up the order. You don’t have a place in the opening position at all. Is there a place in the top three after Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ayush Mhatre? Then why Matthew Short? They don’t have a reason,” he said.

“They also kept Zak Foulkes in their team, and they didn’t play him a single match. So cut a little flab, and pick a middle-order batter, whether it’s Indian or overseas. Daryl Mitchell has been with this team earlier. He might be seen again,” he concluded.