As the Indian Premier League 2026 season unfolds, two struggling franchises, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), find themselves at critical junctures, each battling form, identity, and the elusive comfort of home.

CSK Under Siege Ahead of Crucial Clash

Chennai Super Kings are teetering on the edge of repeating their worst-ever IPL campaign. Having begun the 2022 season with four consecutive defeats as defending champions—a first in their storied history—the Yellow Army is now on the brink of mirroring that disastrous start in 2026. After three games, the signs are ominous. Three losses, listless performances, and a growing sense of unease have piled pressure on captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and the coaching staff.

Unlike 2022, when poor results were sandwiched between title-winning campaigns in 2021 and 2023, this time the dip follows two underwhelming seasons. The batting unit has failed to fire, with neither Ruturaj Gaikwad nor Sanju Samson capitalizing on starts. The absence of Dewald Brevis, a key middle-order cog, has further exposed weaknesses. Young signings Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer have yet to make an impact, while Noor Ahmad hasn’t replicated his 2025 heroics.

Head coach Stephen Fleming remains cautious about Brevis’ availability: “For a young guy, he brings experience. But he's incredibly talented, and I think sort of worked out his game at such a young age... So we value his inputs really highly, he's been a big miss since the start of the season. So if he is right for this game, he'll be a nice addition.”

CSK’s bowling attack has also underperformed. Despite having Khaleel Ahmed and Matt Henry, their Powerplay execution has lacked sting. With two crucial home games at the MA Chidambaram Stadium within 72 hours, including a clash against the improving Delhi Capitals, the next few days could define their season.

Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, arrive with momentum. Despite a last-gasp loss recently, their squad depth is impressive. KL Rahul, after a slow start, slammed a commanding 92, while Sameer Rizvi—formerly with CSK—has been in sizzling form. Axar Patel’s side also boast Karun Nair, Abhishek Porel, and Ashutosh Sharma on the sidelines, all ready to step in.

Tactical battles loom large. Shivam Dube’s strong record against T Natarajan (strike rate of 200) could be key, while Gaikwad and Samson need to overcome Mukesh Kumar, who has been dominant in the Powerplay. For DC, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar, and Natarajan all have favorable records against Samson.

A staggering stat underscores CSK’s home woes: they’ve lost their last six matches at Chepauk. Their win rate under captains other than MS Dhoni drops to just 31.42%, compared to 59.81% under Dhoni. With the venue offering a batting-friendly surface and no rain threat, CSK must act fast—or risk falling into a spiral from which past champions have struggled to emerge.

SRH and PBKS Grapple with Identity in New Chandigarh

While CSK battle at home, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings face their own identity crisis in New Chandigarh. PBKS, one of the league’s most nomadic franchises, have struggled to claim the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium as their fortress, losing 15 of 21 matches here. This season, only one game has been played at the venue—but 25% of their home fixtures are already in the books.

Despite a modest improvement—four wins in seven matches since 2025—the psychological edge remains absent. Openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh average just 16.57 together at home, compared to 40.33 away. Lockie Ferguson’s absence hasn’t helped, and Arshdeep Singh’s IPL 2026 drought—0 wickets in 10 overs, 99 runs conceded—is a growing concern.

Yet, there are flickers of hope. Cooper Connolly has started brightly, and Shreyas Iyer appears to have recovered from a hand injury. PBKS will look to bat first on a surface Shubman Gill described as “never looked like a 210-220 wicket,” with dew ruled out in a day game.

SRH, in contrast, are chasing redemption. Without Pat Cummins, who’s back home for scans, and missing the explosive impact of ‘Travishek’ (Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen), they’ve looked ordinary. Brydon Carse remains sidelined with a hand injury. But they arrive with history on their side—two straight 200+ chases against PBKS, both powered by Abhishek Sharma.

Born in Amritsar and raised in Punjab’s cricketing culture, Abhishek has a unique connection with this region. His stats against PBKS speak volumes: 52+ average, strike rate near 200, including a 66 off 28 in 2024 and a 141 off 55 in 2025—both match-winning knocks. He’s now SRH’s emotional and tactical fulcrum.

Harshal Patel and Liam Livingstone, both ex-PBKS, add intrigue. Harshal and Jaydev Unadkat have strong records against Shreyas Iyer, who has been dismissed by pace in all six of his New Chandigarh outings.

SRH’s recent loss to Lucknow Super Giants was symbolic. Mohammed Shami, once theirs, returned with LSG and won the game with a slower ball he’d developed days prior. It was a reminder that familiarity, once lost, can become a weapon for the opposition.

For both teams, home remains up for grabs. SRH seek consistency away from Hyderabad, while PBKS fight to root themselves in a venue that has brought more heartbreak than glory.

What They Said

“When I came to PBKS - it has been eight years now - I did not get many chances in the first four years. I used to sit outside and think [about] how I could get a chance to play. But because of Impact Player, opportunities have increased” — Prabhsimran Singh on the Impact Player rule.

“We need to work on our batting. Giving so many wickets early on makes it easier for the opposition team” — Ishan Kishan after SRH’s loss to LSG.