Ruturaj Gaikwad has been fined after Chennai Super Kings maintained a slow over-rate during their IPL 2026 match against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 21.
This was CSK’s second over-rate offence of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPL Code of Conduct. Gaikwad was fined INR 24 lakhs. The rest of the playing XI, including the Impact Player, were fined either INR six lakhs or 25 per cent of their match fees.
CSK suffered a massive 89-run defeat in the match. Chasing 229 runs, the five-time champions were bowled out for 140 in just 13.5 overs. The side led by Shubman Gill dominated the game from the start.
Gaikwad reflects on poor season and Dhoni’s absence
After the match, Gaikwad admitted that CSK failed to perform with both bat and ball.
“We wanted to chase whatever the total is ASAP. When you’re chasing 230, it’s not easy against that bowling attack. Thought, why don’t we give it a shot and express ourselves? Credit to them. Wicket was spongy to start; they started well. Our bowling wasn’t good in the powerplay. Hard to stop their openers. We had our chance to restrict them to under 200 but failed to do it,” he said.
Gaikwad also spoke about CSK’s difficult season and injuries to key players.
“Tough season, after a hat-trick of losses first up. We found momentum; we found the right spots and combinations, but then were hit by injuries.”
The CSK captain also discussed the future of MS Dhoni, who missed the season due to injuries.
“You and I’ll get to know it next year [on MS Dhoni for 2027]. It’s a hard miss for us. He can come in those late overs and change the game just by staying in the crease. Never know about next season, but really happy with the guys we have.”
