CSK have to release him: Kris Srikkanth makes huge statement on star player after IPL 2026 elimination

Former India skipper and coach Kri Srikkanth made a huge statement on Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and said that the franchise must release him and acquire him for a better price. Notably, the CSK captain has had a poor campaign this season and he was one of the team’s biggest letdowns. Gaikwad, who succeeded MS Dhoni at the helm of the team, could manage to score only 337 runs at an average of 28.08 and a strike rate of 123.44 in 14 games.

Questioning his captaincy, Kris Srikkanth, aka Cheeka, spoke on his YouTube channel. He said, "CSK have to release him to the auction and try to get him at a better price. CSK needs a foreign opener who's attacking. See how KKR have taken a Finn Allen, and they've started winning since he started smashing

it. Anyway, Ruturaj Gaikwad should have been batting at No.3 only. The fact that he's CSK's second-highest scorer this season shows the state of the team."

Is this how you perform in a season- Kris Srikkanth on Ruturaj Gaikwad

The former India selector opined that the franchise must make a few tough decisions regarding their skipper after his poor performances this season. "He has been pathetic as a captain, batter, and everything else. Last game, he played Test cricket. CSK would have won if he just scored 15 more off the same balls last match. Is this how you perform in a season? Everyone says you should not judge after one bad season. But cricket is like that, and that's professional sport, it's not personal sport," said Srikkanth.

“Atleast this match, he showed intent, which was missing the entire season. I will definitely let go of Ruturaj and get him at half the price. If he goes elsewhere also, it's not a problem, you'll get someone new. Let anyone else take him, CSK can still form a good team without him. They did the same to Devon Conway. Gaikwad will not fit into my framework for CSK,” he went on to say.

Notably, Gaikwad has had a glorious past with the franchise, where he emerged as the driving force behind the team’s batting since 2020 and played a key role in guiding the side to their two titles in 2021 and 2023.