Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is coming under mounting pressure after the five-time champions lost their first two matches of IPL 2026, and the skipper has yet to produce a significant batting performance. The team, which ended last season in the 10th position, was expected to make a strong comeback.

Early indications haven’t been encouraging. The bowling unit has struggled to take wickets at crucial moments, and the opening pair of Gaikwad and Sanju Samson hasn't been among the runs. 

Samson’s move to CSK through a trade deal came with high expectations, as he is viewed as a potential long-term successor to MS Dhoni, who is approaching the twilight of his career. However, the wicketkeeper-batter has been ordinday, despite a stellar T20 World Cup where he produced match-winning performances in every knockout match for India.

Adding to Gaikwad’s early-season pressure, doubts have emerged about his partnership with Samson, with Michael Vaughan and Simon Doull questioning whether the CSK captain might feel his position is under threat. Vaughan highlighted the dynamics, suggesting that Samson’s arrival could subtly increase pressure on skipper Gaikwad, even as the team maintains confidence in him.

“Do you think the captain, Gaikwad, feels under pressure because of Samson?” Vaughan asked Doull.

“Definitely,” the former New Zealand pacer responded.

“So that introduces a whole new dynamic. You have one of the league’s youngest captains, Gaikwad, and you think, ‘We back you, you’re the captain.’ But then the team signs Sanju, a capable captain and wicketkeeper, and reminds you that they had a keeper-captain who led successfully for years. Yet you’re still expected to carry on leading without letting it affect you,” Vaughan said.

The former cricketer noted the increased pressure on Samson after his high-profile CSK transfer, highlighting the expectations tied to the trade and the need to shine in familiar conditions.

“Tough situation for him, and it’s the kind of challenge you face when you’re not desperate but want to perform for a team and put on a show,” Doull said. “He’s from the South, Kerala, and he wants to shine in familiar conditions. The trade was a big one, losing two quality players for one, so the expectations and pressure are huge. But he just needs to remember how well he was playing in the last few T20 World Cup games.”