Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has predicted Chennai Super Kings’ captain Ruturaj Gaikwad to be the best batter for the franchise in IPL 2026. Gaikwad missed the majority of IPL 2025 due to an injury and could only manage 122 runs in five matches at an average of 24.40 and a strike rate of 150.61.

Gaikwad recently confirmed that he and Sanju Samson will open the innings for CSK in IPL 2026. Samson was traded in from the Rajasthan Royals and he was in fantastic form for India in the T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Gaikwad had bagged the Orange Cap in IPL 2021, scoring 635 runs in 16 matches at an average of 45.35 and a strike rate of 136.26.

“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,” Ashwin said on ‘Ash ki Baat’.

Gaikwad recently scored 413 runs in seven matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy at an average of 82.60.

Meanwhile, Ashwin reckons CSK can qualify for the playoffs if their bowling unit delivers the goods.

“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.

Ashwin said it will be imperative for CSK to hit the ground running in IPL 2026 to boost their playoff chances.

“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.

CSK will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against the inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals, at Guwahati.