Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin offered a direct critique of Chennai Super Kings following their loss to Gujarat Titans by 89 runs in Ahmedabad on May 21, which ended their IPL 2026 season. The team recorded six wins and eight defeats for 12 points, highlighting several squad shortcomings. Ashwin stated that the franchise can no longer rely on past strategies from the MS Dhoni era and must overhaul its approach to player selection, team balance and overall standards. He emphasized the need to recruit experienced, high-quality players with variety in both pace and spin bowling. Ashwin noted that while young talent adds energy, a mix of youth and experience creates the strongest combination for the demanding IPL schedule. He observed that the current squad does not align well with conditions at Chepauk, where patient and adaptable batting has historically been more effective than aggressive stroke play.
