Ruturaj Gaikwad (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)

NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings are enduring a tough IPL 2026 season. They are currently seventh on the points table with two wins and four defeats from six matches, and one of the key reasons behind their struggles has been skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s poor form with the bat.Gaikwad has managed just 82 runs in six matches at an average of 13.66, with a strike rate of 112.33.Former India off-spinner R Ashwin believes Gaikwad missed a golden opportunity to return to form during CSK’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, especially after Ayush Mhatre provided a flying start. CSK, who had won two matches on the trot, went down by 10 runs to SRH on Saturday.After posting 194/9, powered by half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen, SRH restricted CSK to 184/8.“It was the best chance for him to score runs. He didn’t need to take risks or score at a fast pace because of the way Ayush Mhatre started. They were running away with the powerplay. It was right there for Ruturaj to take some time, score some runs, and come back into form.“After Ayush Mhatre’s wicket, Ruturaj got a very good ball, it’s not easy to beat him on the pull. I just feel he is under immense pressure, and his mind appears to be a bit cluttered,” Ashwin said on JioHotstar.CSK began their campaign with three successive losses against Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru before bouncing back with consecutive wins over Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders.However, their momentum was halted again with the narrow defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad.With a net run rate of -0.780, CSK find themselves in the lower half of the table and under pressure to turn things around.CSK will next face Mumbai Indians on April 23.