Irfan Pathan questions Ruturaj Gaikwad’s batting approach after CSK vs DC IPL 2026 match

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan questioned Ruturaj Gaikwad’s batting approach after Chennai Super Kings secured a 23-run win against Delhi Capitals at the Chepauk Stadium, Chennai on Saturday. The CSK captain was dismissed after scoring 15 runs off 18 balls against Delhi Capitals at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Saturday.

Gaikwad has managed only 56 runs in four matches of the tournament at an average of 14 and a strike rate of 103.70. Pathan highlighted that Gaikwad is playing too cautiously in the ongoing season.

Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube Channel, “Chennai is back. Sanju Samson played an amazing innings. When Sanju Samson was batting in the powerplay, there was double pressure on him because Ruturaj Gaikwad was playing a bit too cautiously. His approach was very subdued, but at the other end Samson kept playing big shots continuously.”

Pathan praised Sanju Samson for scoring a stunning knock of 115 runs off 56 balls. Samson smashed 15 fours and four sixes in his match-winning innings.

“He played the aggressor’s role. Because of this, the powerplay also went up to 60. Even after that, he didn’t finish there. He scored a century. And when Sanju Samson scores runs, he scores them in one go and in big numbers. Because of this, Chennai fans will be very happy seeing this. Well done Sanju Baba.”

The former swing bowler also praised Ayush Mhatre for scoring an impressive knock of 59 runs off just 36 balls.

He added, “Ayush Mhatre came in at number three after the powerplay. Spin is not his strength, playing fast bowling is his strength. He also played a good innings. And then the way Shivam Dube played a 20-run innings off 10 balls, getting Ayush Mhatre retired out, that was also a very good finish.”

Chennai Super Kings will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Tuesday.