IPL 2026: Rachin Ravindra’s T20 form is a warning CSK can’t ignore before retentions

Rachin Ravindra [Source - IPL/x.com]

Rachin Ravindra was one of the most talked-about acquisitions ahead of IPL 2024. After his breakout performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he impressed with clean strokeplay, adaptability, and temperament, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) invested in him with high hopes. And despite a lukewarm debut season, the 2025 mega auction saw CSK use their Right to Match (RTM) card to bring him back, reaffirming their faith in his potential.

The expectation was clear, that they were getting a multi-dimensional cricketer who is young and has the skills into a side looking to transition beyond the MS Dhoni era. But nearly a year on, Rachin’s form in T20 cricket has been inconsistent at best. As IPL 2026 retention looms, the question arises: Should CSK treat this as an early warning sign?

Rachin’s powerplay struggles hurt CSK’s IPL 2025 campaign

CSK finished at the bottom of the IPL 2025 table, and one glaring weakness was their lack of aggression with the bat during the powerplay. With a strike rate of just 137.5, the lowest among all teams, they consistently failed to capitalise on fielding restrictions inside the first 6 overs.

Table - CSK batters in powerplay in IPL 2025

Rachin Ravindra, as the primary overseas opener, struck at just 117.78 in the powerplay, severely limiting CSK’s momentum up front. On slow Chepauk pitches, early acceleration is crucial. When your top-order foreign pick underperforms consistently, it puts immense pressure on the middle order to play catch-up, a recipe for disaster.

A pattern of inconsistency in franchise and international cricket

Despite his ODI heroics in two back-to-back ICC tournaments, Rachin Ravindra’s transition to franchise T20 leagues has been far from convincing. Whether in the IPL or other leagues, he is yet to deliver a standout season that proves his T20 credentials on a consistent basis.

His performances often show a lack of impact, low strike rates at times, short stays at the crease, and limited bowling influence, especially in the IPL. While franchises value versatility, they also demand match-winners, and Rachin, who has a T20 average of around 22 since 2024, has struggled to produce game-changing moments.

Table - Rachin Ravindra in franchise cricket.

In a T20 International landscape dominated by the likes of Mitchell Marsh, Phil Salt, and Abhishek Sharma, Rachin Ravindra’s numbers fall short. Even when New Zealand needed impactful contributions like the recent 200+ chase against England, he failed to deliver.

The trend raises fair questions about his suitability for this format at the elite level.

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CSK could reconsider creating room for bigger buys in mini auction

With the IPL mini-auction approaching, CSK may look to free up overseas slots and salary cap space. Rachin Ravindra, despite his promise, has failed to find consistency as a T20 player and could be a release candidate, especially if his underwhelming T20 form continues through the remainder of the international calendar.

Targeting someone like Cameron Green, a proven pace-bowling all-rounder with power-hitting muscle, would align better with CSK’s tactical needs and future core. Releasing Rachin could create a larger purse and flexibility, allowing CSK to bid aggressively on multi-dimensional players with a clearer impact profile.

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