CSK team in action.© X/@ChennaiIPL
Chennai Super Kings are off to a poor start in the Indian Premier League 2026. The side has lost both of its opening games. As a result, the five-time champions hold the bottom spot on the points table with a net run rate of -2.562. CSK’s batting failed miserably in the first match as they were bundled out for a mere 127 against Rajasthan Royals, losing the game by eight wickets. In the second match, their batting improved, but the bowlers failed to defend a 210-run target against Punjab Kings.
As the team is going through a tough time, India’s spin great and former CSK player Ravichandran Ashwin has requested the side’s fans not to target any player.
“My request to CSK fans is, please do not slam any player. Support each and every one of them,” Ashwin as quoted by News18 Sports.
“Being a fan of a team isn’t just about winning. The five titles CSK have won is a legacy, but the youngsters shouldn’t be burdened with the weight of it. The burden shouldn’t fall on Ayush Mhatre or Urvil Patel. They have to go out and play with joy. They willl learn and couple of years down the line, the side will become invincible again,” he added.
Opening batters Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh gave Punjab Kings a flying start in their chase of a target of 210 as they overhauled CSK in IPL 2026 on Friday.
Impact substitute Arya set the tone with 39 runs off 11 balls as he and Singh rumbled to 68-1 in the powerplay. Captain Shreyas Iyer’s 26-ball half-century and Cooper Connolly’s 36 ensured Punjab reached 210-5 with eight balls to spare and won by five wickets.
Chennai thought it had put up a defendable total of 209-5 at home thanks to former India Under-19 captain Ayush Mhatre’s 73 off 43, Shivam Dube’s unbeaten 45 off 27, and Sarfaraz Khan’s cameo of 32 off 12.
But Chennai’s bowling was ordinary. Only five bowlers were used, while all-rounders Dube and debutant Prashant Veer were not utilised.
(With AP inputs)
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