Chennai Super Kings were handed their biggest defeat in IPL history in terms of runs on Thursday night by a dominant Gujarat Titans led by Shubman Gill. Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and decided to bowl
first, a decision that proved to be expensive. Half-centuries from Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler put the Gujarat franchise in the driver’s seat. This was a do-or-die situation for CSK to win this contest and stay alive in the race for the playoffs. However, the Men in Yellow, and the five-time champions, surrendered inside 14 overs, managing only 140 runs in their response.
Loitering at 12 points on the points table of IPL 2026, CSK were humbled at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad by an 89-run defeat. The loss summed up CSK’s rollercoaster of a summer, with a few highs and several lows. This has been a story of a franchise that once had a habit of cruising through the league stages, year after year.
Now, at the time of writing this article, Chennai Super Kings have been reduced to nothing but memes being served by supporters of other IPL franchises, laughing at CSK’s seasonal woes with much glee.
CSK’s Never-ending Freefall
In what feels like forever, Chennai Super Kings lifted their last IPL title in IPL 2023. This was their fifth time bringing the coveted trophy home. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who had led the ruthless side to four wins lifted his final IPL laurel that year.
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Since then, CSK have suffered immensely. Dhoni officially stepped down from the captain’s role and handed over the reins to Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Chennai did not qualify for the playoffs a single time. That’s 2024, 2025, and 2026 on the trot.
In fact, if one zooms out, CSK’s records in the previous 7 seasons since 2020 don’t spark much confidence for the “Whistle Podu” army. Chennai have only advanced to the playoffs twice in those seven seasons.
Why Should CSK’s Fall Matter?
Apart from tasting victories five times, Chennai Super Kings have made it to the playoffs 10 out of 10 times from 2008 to 2019. The IPL 2023 victory has now been dampened by three consecutive sub-par performances, an unprecedented run of group stage exits for a franchise that was once the bully on the points table.
Many critics, cricket pundits, and fans firmly believe that Dhoni’s diminishing role compounded the problems in the squad, leading to their never-before-seen downfall. His absence has been a major setback, particularly in pressure situations during the death overs when Dhoni shone the most. 2007 Men’s T20 World Cup, one-glove run-out against Bangladesh in the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup, the last over of the 2013 Celkon Cup Tri-Series against Sri Lanka, come to mind.
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Adding salt to the open wounds of CSK, Dhoni missed out on the majority of the IPL 2026 owing to a calf injury, robbing Chennai of the tactical prowess in key moments. The ever-evolving batting and bowling departments of CSK, with players new and old, have shown hints of brilliance that were not sustained. Injuries only broke CSK’s back.
Ruturaj Gaikwad said "We will comeback strong next year". pic.twitter.com/oStvcuqlzO
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 21, 2026
Whether CSK turn up stronger next year is something only time will tell, but for now, CSK have been subjected to humiliation, piercing criticism, and unmatched mockery.
Hey @ChennaiIPL if you are not sacking Fleming and Ruturaj next season I am officially retirimg from CSK fan. This is absolutely nonsense what kind of playing XI is this. You guys are playing with fans emotions. pic.twitter.com/VXq8kisqdB
— Sophia Vijay (@sansofibm) May 21, 2026
Imagine the level of trauma Chennai Super Kings gave each of them. pic.twitter.com/UGbgfUzZAT
— 91 Notout (@Dhoni_inspires) May 21, 2026
Chennai Super Kings under RUTURAJ GAIKWAD
Captaincy2024 – 5th Position
2025 – 10th Position
2026* – Eliminated pic.twitter.com/ZdIYBdnsLJ
— Sarthak (@Sarthakh1845) May 21, 2026
Some graciously backed their team in their time of calamity.
“6 injuries, our main batsman and bowler injured, and crucial players struggling with form—yet we fought until the very last match. That’s the Chennai Super Kings spirit for you. We might not have qualified, but we never gave up. Proud of the roar, always!” an X user (@David315851) wrote.
