In a do-or-die situation for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), captain Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 15 runs off 21 balls
On Monday evening, when the CSK needed a victory to proceed to the playoffs of the IPL, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s innings raised questions. After all, when the strike rate should have increased, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s performance worsened, as he scored only 15 runs off 21 balls, with all those runs coming from singles and not a single boundary. However, Ruturaj is not the only captain who has struggled this season with the bat. Several captains have failed to guide their teams to victory with runs.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad dismissed for 15 off 21 balls.
— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) May 18, 2026
- 71 Strike Rate!🥺 pic.twitter.com/cMK4PS9OTf
In 13 matches, Gaikwad has scored 321 runs so far at an average of 29.18 and a strike rate of 120.68. In the first six matches, he made only 82 runs but turned things around in the next six games, hitting 224 runs. However, it has not been enough to advance his team in the tournament.
Ajinkya Rahane
ODD ONE: KKR just need to throw out Ajinkya Rahane, both as captain and as player.🙏 pic.twitter.com/huOtWYuSUT
— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) May 16, 2026
To be honest, Ajinkya Rahane's case is quite amusing. 251 runs in 12 matches at an average of 22.82 and a strike rate of 130.73, but fortunately, Rahane’s teammates have made a turnaround for him, because of which the team is still battling against odds for a place in the playoffs.
Axar Patel
Axar Patel's scores in IPL 2026
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) May 5, 2026
0(1)
2(3)
1(2)
26*(19) - retd hurt
2(3)
0(3)
2(6)
Total: 33 runs at 5.5, SR: 89.18 pic.twitter.com/9LYseRST0f
Although an all-rounder, Axar Patel’s performance with the bat has been below par. He has scored only 134 runs in 13 matches and, with the ball, has taken only 10 wickets. In both departments, a seasoned player like Patel was expected to do better, but unfortunately, he failed to lead the team.
Hardik Pandya
🚨 HARDIK PANDYA TO CSK OR KKR?
— Indian Cricket Ministry (@ICM_News45) May 18, 2026
Today, Hardik Pandya had a long chat with KKR head coach
Abhishek Nayar during the practice session.
Before that, he also had a long conversation with CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan after the MI vs CSK match.
Reports are now saying that he is in… pic.twitter.com/wTUmfs9QXJ
Another star all-rounder of the Indian cricket team, Pandya’s season as Mumbai’s captain has been a horror show. The team is already out of the season, with Pandya playing only eight matches, scoring 146 runs and grabbing four wickets. There are rumours that Hardik and Mumbai could part ways after the season concludes.
Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag doesn’t hold back after Rajasthan Royals let a top-four spot slip from its grasp 🗣️
— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) May 17, 2026
📸: PTI #IPL2026 #DCvRR #RiyanParag pic.twitter.com/yPAB6JcaAo
Only one score of 90 and that’s it – Riyan Parag’s season has been a disaster, with 258 runs in 11 matches. At the beginning, his team, Rajasthan, was well on its way to the playoffs, but now even that seems like a tough job.
Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant dropping hints louder 👀#IPL2026 #RishabhPant #LSG #Cricket pic.twitter.com/HTo7PjBMsJ
— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) May 16, 2026
251 runs in 12 matches, and the team being out of the race for the playoffs has not helped Rishabh Pant’s case. He wasn’t at the top of his game last season, and the poor form has continued in 2026. With this kind of batting and captaincy, there are doubts about his place with the Lucknow franchise in 2027.
When it comes to RCB’s Rajat Patidar and GT’s Shubman Gill, Patidar has 337 runs in 12 matches, but at least those runs impacted the game with a strike rate of above 190. On the other hand, Gill’s performance with the bat remains the best among captains, hitting 552 runs in 12 matches, and more is on the cards as the team has qualified for the playoffs.
