Former CSK Star Praises Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Astute Captaincy Calls In Rout Of DC

Gaikwad has stewarded the five-time-winner’s turn in form and former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin credited his leadership calls for the side’s triumph over DC.

CSK Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. (Picture credit: AP)

Chennai Super Kings recorded an 8-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday in their IPL 2026 clash, restricting DC to 155 before cruising to the target on the back of a blistering half-century from Sanju Samson.

Samson’s unbeaten 87 off 52 balls powered Chennai past the 156-run target with 15 deliveries remaining, with Kartik Sharma providing support with an unbeaten 41.

CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has stewarded the five-time-winner’s turn in form and former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin credited his leadership calls for the side’s triumph over DC.

“Good captaincy by Ruturaj Gaikwad to use Akeal in the powerplay. Mukesh Choudhary was good, so was Gurjapneet.”

“He gave Overton just the single over as he didn’t want to risk it with hard length on this wicket,” he added.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, DC ran into early trouble. Pathum Nissanka was dismissed for 19 by Mukesh Choudhary, and KL Rahul followed soon after for 12, removed by Akeal Hussain.

Noor Ahmed then struck twice, sending back Karun Nair for 13 and Nitish Rana for 15. DC captain Axar Patel fell cheaply for 2 to Gurjapneet, before Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi stabilised the innings.

Stubbs scored 38 before Jamie Overton dismissed the South African, while former CSK player Rizvi remained unbeaten on 40, guiding DC to 155/7 in their 20 overs.

Chasing 156, Samson opened with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was dismissed for 6 by Lungi Ngidi. Urvil Patel chipped in with a brisk 17 off 9 balls, after which Kartik Sharma came in to anchor the innings as Samson took charge with another explosive half-century.

Samson accelerated smoothly, consistently finding boundaries to ensure the required run rate never became an issue. Kartik, fresh from a fifty in his previous outing, played a solid supporting role to Samson’s onslaught.

Together, Samson and Kartik compiled an unbroken 114-run stand, taking CSK over the line in commanding fashion. The win lifted Chennai to 10 points from 10 games, strengthening their push for a playoff berth, while Delhi remained on 8 points from 10 matches, with 4 wins and 6 losses.

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