CSK Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad Stresses Fearless Approach for Youngsters After IPL Opener

Ruturaj Gaikwad urges CSK’s young squad to stay fearless, embrace pressure, and learn through mistakes after a tough IPL 2026 start.

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has made it clear that he is not trying to impose himself forcefully on a transitioning squad, instead focusing on building a supportive environment for the franchise’s new generation.

Following a disappointing opening defeat in IPL 2026, Gaikwad acknowledged the inexperience in the squad but stressed patience and trust in the youngsters stepping into key roles.

“Not forcing it [captaincy], to be honest. But, we didn’t have the best of squads last year. And when I say that, you know, no disrespect to any players. But, I think, the combination didn’t just click the way we wanted,” Gaikwad said on the eve of CSK’s first home game of the season against Punjab Kings in Chennai, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

“Looking at this team now, it is a very young team. The excitement is there but at the same time, there’s a lot of difference between experienced players and inexperienced players. So, you have to allow them to make mistakes. You have to allow them to express themselves. You have to make sure that they are in a good headspace,” Gaikwad continued.

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Learning to Handle Pressure in the IPL

CSK’s youngsters struggled in their opening fixture against Rajasthan Royals, especially in tricky batting conditions. However, Gaikwad emphasized that adapting to the high-pressure environment of the IPL takes time and experience. He encouraged players to stay positive and not let external expectations affect their mindset.

“I mean, [there’s pressure to perform] from families, from the media, from team members, everyone [in the IPL]. So to cope with that and to just get into that IPL performance mode, sometimes it takes time. You try and share your experience with them, [but] it should not make them cautious. It should not make them go into a negative frame of mind.

Making their debut for a franchise like CSK – it’s a huge achievement for them. So, first thing is to enjoy it, embrace it and give your best, whatever it is there. If it happens, well and good; even if it does not happen, it is still a long journey for them. They’re still at the start of their careers. It’s just about managing what are their strengths, and just navigating them to be fearless and not have any doubts about it,” Gaikwad added.

Chepauk Conditions and CSK’s Adaptability

With their next game set at Chepauk, Gaikwad also spoke about the unpredictable nature of the pitch and how conditions, especially weather and dew, can influence matches. He remains confident that the current squad has the depth to adjust accordingly.

“Regarding pitches, I feel a lot depends here on the weather. Whatever World Cup games happened, they happened in the month of February. So, not much of dew or forecast about rain or cloudy weather as well. So, I think with the best weather and best conditions… the Chennai wicket usually plays really well.

“But, at night, sometimes, if there is excessive dew and a bit more moisture in the wicket, it tends to change a bit, especially the second half of the innings. So, not really sure about how it will go this year. We have to adapt accordingly and we have seven games. So, hopefully, whatever the [nature of the] pitch, we will try to make use of whatever we can,” concluded the skipper.