For the IPL 2026 season, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have a power-packed batting line-up. Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Prashant Veer, Dewald Brewis, Karthik Sharma, Sarfaraz Khan… all are capable of scoring runs at a pace, which does not mean that they will all be scoring a lot of runs in the upcoming season. Who will be the highest run scorer for the team? Former Team India spinner and CSK spinner Ravichandran Ashwin answered the challenging question.
Unlike any big hitter, Ravichandran Ashwin picked captain Ruturaj Gaikwad as a potential contender to score the most runs for the Yellow Brigade in IPL 2026. Gaikwad will enter the campaign with a clinical domestic season with Maharashtra.
Why Ruturaj Gaikwad can be the top run scorer for CSK in the IPL 2026 season?
In the last edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the top-order batsman scored 413 runs in seven matches at an average of 82.60 and a strike rate of 115.04. These figures are supported by a few centuries and a half-century.
Ashwin feels that Ruturaj Gaikwad will try to play the role of anchor while the other batsmen around him will score runs at a fast pace. If Gaikwad remains on track from the beginning to the end of the innings as per Ashwin’s prediction, then his chances of scoring runs will automatically increase.
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his official YouTube channel ‘Aish Ki Baat’, “The best batsman – Ruturaj. I think he will bat at number three. His role will be to play till the end. I think he will play the role of anchor and the rest will keep hitting around him. That’s why I think he can score more runs.”
Can the former champions qualify for the play-offs?
The former spinner believes that the team has the potential to qualify for the playoffs. To do this, Ashwin suggests the top-order batsmen to score a lot of runs.
He also said that to qualify for the knockout stage, the bowlers will also have to perform as per plan. On paper, CSK’s bowling attack is not looking the best on paper, especially after the injury to Nathan Ellis.
“CSK will compete very hard to finish third or fourth. I think they are part of the three, four, five and six contenders. If their top three or two score at least 500 runs, and they find bowlers to execute the plans and get their top two firing, then I definitely think they will be successful. The bowling may not look strong, but in the past, they have got the bowlers to do the job. I think they will be in contention. Are,” Ashwin said.
Injuries to top bowlers can be beneficial for the team
Ashwin further explained that with some of the top bowlers like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood expected to miss many of the opening matches, Chennai Super Kings will have a great opportunity to utilize the situation to gain an edge.
He said, “If CSK starts well, before guys like Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood come in, you will feel that RCB and SRH will have to step up. If they start slow, and you take the field as CSK, then you are set for a very good finish.”
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