IPL 2026: ‘Sycophancy around MS Dhoni’- Sanjay Manjrekar blasts CSK management
Chennai Super Kings are struggling in IPL 2026, with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad facing criticism for both team results and personal form. Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar places blame on CSK's decision-makers, citing the mishandling of MS Dhoni's role and a culture of sycophancy that clouds judgment. He argues for prioritizing players in their prime over established stars.
Chennai Super Kings have had a difficult beginning to their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign, managing just two wins from their first six matches and slipping to seventh on the points table. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has faced growing criticism, not only for the team’s results but also for his own struggles with the bat. Across six innings, he has scored only 82 runs at an average of 13.
67 and a strike rate of 112. 33, numbers that reflect his dip in form. However, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes the responsibility cannot rest solely on the young skipper.
Speaking on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast, he pointed towards the decision-makers behind the scenes. “This blame, I’m going to put at the doorstep of the owners and people who make the big decisions. Because Gaikwad, before he was captain, was phenomenal at the top of the order,” Manjrekar said.
He also suggested that the constant spotlight around MS Dhoni has complicated matters for Gaikwad. “And then that thing with M. S Dhoni, whether he’s going to be playing, whether he’s going to be captain, they handled that very badly.