Ravichandran Ashwin predicted who the best batter for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could be in IPL 2026. He picked captain Ruturaj Gaikwad over Sanju Samson. Samson has been in exceptional form recently.

“Best batter – Ruturaj. I think he will bat at three. His role will be to play till the end. I feel he will look to anchor and the others will keep hitting around him. That is why I think he could get the volume of runs,” he said on ‘Ash ki Baat‘.

In the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025-26, Ruturaj scored 413 runs from seven games at an average of 82.60 and a strike rate of 115.04 with two hundreds and a fifty. He will be keen to carry his form into the IPL 2026. Last season, he played only five matches and was ruled out due to injury. This time around, he will look to lead from the front for CSK.

Ravichandran Ashwin on CSK’s chances in IPL 2026

Talking about CSK’s chances in IPL 2026, Ravichandran Ashwin reckoned that the five-time champions would certainly aim to compete. He stated that they could be among the contenders to qualify for the playoffs as well.

However, Ashwin reflected that at least two of their top three batters must score at least 500 runs each. He added that they would also have to find ways to get the best out of their bowling attack, which may not appear to be the best on paper.

“CSK will compete very hard to be at three or four. I feel they are a part of three, four, five and six contenders. If their top three or two at least score 500 runs each, and they find bowlers to execute plans and get their top two firing, I definitely feel they will get through. The bowling might not look strong, but in the past, they have found bowlers to do the job. I feel they are in contention,” he said.

Further, he stated that Chennai would have an advantage if they start well, as other teams are dealing with injury concerns. Key players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, among others, are set to miss the initial games of IPL 2026, causing big blows to their respective teams.

“If CSK start well, then before guys like Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood come, you will feel RCB and SRH are having to catch up. If they start slow, and you hit the ground running as CSK, then you are set for a very good finish,” he expressed.

Ruturaj and Co. failed to qualify last season, finishing at the very bottom. This year, they will aim to turn their fortunes around and put up an exceptional performance.