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Chennai Super Kings' poor run of form continued in IPL 2026 as they went down to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 10 runs in Hyderabad. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin feels that captain Ruturaj Gaikwad had an ideal opportunity to make a comeback in the chase while batting due to a fantastic start by young Ayush Mhatre.

SRH posted 194/9 in the board courtesy of quickfire half centuries by Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen. In reply, CSK scored 184/8 and failed to reach the target despite having a decent start in the powerplay.

CSK had a terrific start to the powerplay, with Mhatre absolutely flying from the word go. He hammered as many as 30 runs off just 13 balls and pressurized SRH very early in the chase. The powerplay had given CSK an exceptional start.

However, after his dismissal, it didn't take much for things to change as Ruturaj failed to capitalize on the good start. Ashwin feels that it was a perfect situation for the CSK captain to start his inning and make a statement.

"That was the ideal time for him to get runs. He wasn't in a situation where he had to go and take risks or score at a quick rate. With the start Ayush Mhatre got, they were just running away with the powerplay and you have to say that it was there for Ruturaj to perhaps just hang around, score a few runs get himself back into form.

Ashwin said:

"The second ball after Ayush's dismissal was a fantastic one, and it's very hard to get him away on the pull. I just feel that he is under a lot of pressure at the moment and his thought process is somewhat jumbled up."

The lack of form of the captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is one of the major issues for CSK, who have managed only 82 runs from six matches so far at an average of 13.67 with a strike rate of 112.33.

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Although CSK faltered in the middle of the innings, the bowlers are the ones who helped SRH to register the win. Eshan Malinga picked up 3 wickets for SRH at an economy rate of 7.25. He bowled incredibly well and constricted the opposition with his economical lines and lengths.

SRH Bowling Coach Varun Aaron lauded the performance of Eshan Malinga and called him the unsung hero of SRH.

Varun Aaron said:

"Eshan Malinga is a very underrated bowler. Since the beginning of the campaign, he has bowled really well. He becomes even more dangerous in death overs when the ball starts reversing. He is able to bowl at speeds around 145kph, with an awesome bouncer and the best yorker. He is a sheer T20 bowler with allround abilities. In my opinion, he can even start the bowling for us, let alone for the Sri Lanka team."

He also spoke on Praful Hinge, the youngster who played two extremely different games in his 2 games so far.

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Aron added: 

"We all have watched the IPL over the years and it has been a perfect example of it. You might have picked up 3 wickets in the very first over like Praful Hinge has done in his maiden game, and then give away 15 runs in an over on another occasion, but learning such experiences are a part of the game."

He Concluded: 

"He has been witness to two extreme examples in two games only. A bowler might have been unable to bowl well in 3 overs, but then show a good character to bowl well in the death overs, even under pressure, that's what I am trying to say. I think he is there to stay for SRH."

CSK are still finding their feet as this loss prolongs their struggle for consistency, while questions about their batting and leadership also remain.