Chennai Super Kings’ skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad shouldered the blame following his team’s heavy loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This defeat marked Gaikwad’s seventh consecutive loss as captain. Despite putting up a good fight during the match, Chennai Super Kings faltered towards the end, allowing Royal Challengers Bengaluru to amass a formidable total of 250 for 3. Tim David, Rajat Patidar, and Devdutt Padikkal played aggressively to set up RCB’s victory, with their bowlers then containing CSK to secure a 43-run win.
Gaikwad expressed regret over his performance, stating, “If I had contributed more, maybe it could have been different. It was definitely on me today.” His losing streak now aligns him with Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh as Indian captains who have faced seven consecutive IPL defeats, a list that includes Sourav Ganguly and Rohit Sharma for the longest such streaks.
The losing streak for Gaikwad began in IPL 2025 and has extended into the 2026 season, with CSK starting with three losses. Although CSK managed to control the game for a significant period, the momentum shifted drastically as Tim David and Rajat Patidar’s explosive partnership in the final overs propelled RCB to a commanding total. A pivotal moment came when a potential wicket-taking delivery by Anshul Kamboj was deemed a no-ball, allowing David to capitalize on the opportunity.
Despite some resistance from the lower order, including Sarfaraz Khan, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, and Shivam Dube, CSK fell short in their chase. Gaikwad acknowledged the unexpected fightback but emphasized the need for a stronger performance from the top order to turn the game around. With three consecutive defeats at the start of the season and ongoing pressure, CSK is focused on regaining momentum under Gaikwad’s leadership.