Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally ended their 17-year losing streak at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, handing Chennai Super Kings (CSK) a disappointing 50-run defeat in their IPL 2025 game on Friday. This was RCB’s first win at the venue since the inaugural IPL season in 2008 and CSK’s biggest-ever loss at home.
Batting first, RCB put an above-par total of 196/7 in a tricky spin-friendly wicket, with Rajat Patidar top scoring with 51 off 32 balls. Phil Salt (32 off 16) and Virat Kohli (31 off 30 also looked in fine touch, while Devdutt Padikkal (27 off 14) and Tim David (22 off 8) contributed to the tally. Later in the chase, CSK struggled against RCB’s pace attack as Josh Hazlewood (3/21), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/20), and Yash Dayal (2/18) rattled their top order. Rachin Ravindra (41 off 31) was their lone fighter, as other batters walked back in regular intervals. Legendary wicket-keeper-batter, MS Dhoni (30* off 16), played a small cameo, but it was too late as the home team were way far from the target, eventually finishing at 146/8.
Following the defeat, many experts and fans pointed fingers at Chennai’s skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, questioning his leadership qualities under pressure. Despite being backed by Dhoni, Gaikwad’s decisions, including the bowling changes and batting order choices, have been criticized. Dhoni, who handed over the captaincy at the start of IPL 2024, had earlier stated that he discusses strategies with Gaikwad but avoids imposing his advice. The veteran had clarified after CSK’s season opener against Mumbai Indians that he is more focused on reinventing himself as a player rather than making backroom decisions.
Here are the three reasons why Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK captain is a wrong choice:
3. Lack of experience in leading
Leadership in a competition like the IPL is not just about wearing the captain’s armband, it requires making the right decisions at crucial times, situational awareness, and the ability to inspire a team. Last season, when Gaikwad was given the captaincy, there were concerns over his lack of experience, and those concerns have resurfaced this year.
In IPL 2024, CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing with seven wins from 14 games. This season, they have already suffered a defeat, and while it may be too early to judge, the IPL does not allow room for long struggles in leadership. Gaikwad, who is still finding his feet as a captain, and his lack of experience were evident against RCB, where CSK failed to capitalize on their strong start. While the right-hand batter leads his domestic team, Maharashtra but the pressure of IPL is different. While Dhoni had a remarkable first season as CSK captain, leading them to the finals in 2008, Gaikwad struggled in his first season in 2024, failing to take the team to the playoffs.
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