Chennai Super Kings stand-in captain MS Dhoni admitted that the side had certain loopholes to plug in ahead of IPL 2026 and it was largely related to their batting order. The five-time champions finished at the bottom of the points table for the first time in IPL history in the 2025 edition. While CSK’s bowlers were on point throughout the tournament, it was their batting line-up that underperformed severly.
CSK “slightly worried about batting order”
Speaking at a private event, Dhoni revealed that while CSK’s batting order was sorted, the team was still slightly worried. The legendary skipper confirmed that Ruturaj Gaikwad, who missed half of IPL 2025 due to an injury, will return next year and that would offer some stability to CSK’s batting line-up.
“We are slightly worried about our batting order. But I think our batting order is quite sorted out now. Rutu (Gaikwad) will be coming back. He got injured. But he will be coming back. So, we are quite sorted now,” said Dhoni.
CSK failed to make it to the IPL playoffs for two consecutive seasons now. In IPL 2024, they finished fifth as RCB pipped them to make it to the top four. The five-time champions were also targeted for their flawed strategy at the IPL 2025 mega-auction. However, Dhoni defended the team while also stating that they were looking to plug in some loopholes in the mini-auction that is scheduled to take place later this year.
“I won’t say we (CSK) slacked off (in IPL 2025). But there were certain holes that we needed to plug in. A small auction is coming in December. Some loopholes are there, and we will try to plug those in,” he added.
While majority of CSK’s retained players and auction picks failed to perform with the bat, it was mid-season signings like Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis and Urvil Patel who were standout batters for the team in IPL 2025.
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