Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin A blunt assessment has been presented. Chennai Super Kings Their disappointing IPL 2026 campaign ended with a crushing 89-run defeat against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on 21 May. CSK ended the season with six wins, eight losses and 12 points, a campaign that exposed several weaknesses in the squad. Considering the team’s struggles, Ashwin He said the franchise could no longer rely on the methods that led to consistent success during that era MS Dhoni. According to him, Chennai now needs a complete overhaul in terms of squad construction, balance and overall quality. “Honestly, I will say this openly, CSK has to invest in quality. They have to invest in quality cricketers. I mean, build a quality team. With experience. Bowling experience. Diversity among fast bowlers. Diversity in spinners. Ashwin said on his YouTube channel that a team has to be built well. The veteran off-spinner emphasized that while young players bring enthusiasm and energy, experience is equally important in the long IPL season. He believes that the ideal combination is a combination of youth and experienced adventurers. “Young talent, youth enthusiasm, as Ravi (Shastri) Bhai says, it’s exciting. But with that, if you have experience in the team, it’s a lethal combination. This is not Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings. Not at all. Those times have changed. And you have to remember that success will come. But it will come slowly.” Ashwin also expressed concern over whether CSK had assembled the team to suit the conditions at Chepauk, a venue that was once considered their greatest strength. He pointed out that batting in Chennai requires patience and adaptability rather than constant power hitting. “Actually, to be honest, Shivam Dubey’s batting was very positive for Chennai,” Ashwin said. “But I have one observation. I think the squad that has been chosen to play in their home match, in Chepauk, I think it doesn’t suit them.” Recalling some of CSK’s most successful batsmen from years past, Ashwin explained why Chennai surfaces require a more attritional approach. “Whenever I think of Badrinath, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Shane WatsonMichael Hussey — players like him — I feel that to bat in Chepak conditions you have to bat a little bit. You don’t have a wicket to go off the line like that,” he added.
