'We are a young and transitional team' - Ruturaj Gaikwad backs inexperienced CSK side after poor end to IPL 2026

Published - 22 May 2026, 10:35 IST | Updated - 22 May 2026, 11:17 IST

Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has showered heavy praise on his team despite their elimination from IPL 2026 after an 89-run loss to the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on May 21. The Super Kings finished their season with six wins and eight losses from their 14 games. They were able to keep themselves in the playoff hunt until the end of the season, despite a slow start.

Gaikwad has backed his team, stating that they are a young squad which is in transition. Coming into the season with a team built around a crop of young players, Gaikwad expressed pleasure at being able to give the youngsters in the squad exposure.

“Not many people buy the fact that we are a young and transitional team. But given the fact that more than 8-10 players have played below 20 games. Good to give them the exposure this year. We know where we are lacking. Really proud of the unit. We missed out on chasing in Hyderabad, the last time we played in Chennai, we could have restricted them,” Gaikwad said, speaking in the post-match presentation.

One of the areas where the five-time champions have seen a shakeup is the middle order. Youngsters like Kartik Sharma and Dewald Brevis were singled out by the skipper as players who have shone in the season. Gaikwad further mentioned Urvil Patel, who was playing his first full season of IPL cricket after being signed as an injury replacement in 2025. Urvil scored a 13-ball half-century against the Lucknow Super Giants at the Chepauk, the joint-fastest in the league.

“Moving on from the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu - we had experience throughout the years. Kartik Sharma and Brev [Brevis] who missed out playing initially. Kartik has lot of areas to improve. Urvil is playing full season for the first time. You have lot of expectations when you play a full season and maybe that would have been in his mind. We will come back stronger next season,” Gaikward added.

The Titans, put into bat, scored a mammoth 229 for 4, with the top-three of Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler getting half-centuries. At the Narendra Modi Stadium, the five-time champions were blown away by Mohammed Siraj's three-wicket burst with the new ball and were unable to recover as they were bundled out for 140.