The 2026 IPL season has been a reality check for the league’s most decorated franchises. With Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai India languishing in the bottom half of the table, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has pointed the finger directly at the boardrooms.
In a searing assessment on the Insight Edge podcast of Sportstar, Manjrekar argued that both teams are "living in the past," prioritizing brand value and legacy stars over modern T20 efficiency. From the "overwhelming sycophancy" surrounding M.S. Dhoni to the "neutralization" of Jasprit Bumrah, Manjrekar suggests the heavyweights are failing to adapt to a rapidly evolving format.
Manjrekar’s sharpest words were reserved for the management of the captaincy transition at CSK. He believes Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was "phenomenal" before taking the helm, has been stifled by the ongoing ambiguity surrounding Dhoni’s role and the fan culture that refuses to objective.
This is where you see the sycophancy of Indian culture that has seeped into cricket as well. I mean, there isn’t just a fan following of Dhoni, there is sycophancy around it... they [fans] lost sight of the whole picture.
Sanjay Manjrekar
Manjrekar further questioned the feasibility of Dhoni’s return from a calf strain, noting that the "hype" surrounding four-ball cameos is no longer sustainable for a team needing top-tier performance in every slot.
Mumbai Indians' resident ace, Jasprit Bumrah, has faced a strangely quiet season, marked by a career-high economy rate of 8.63 and a lack of wickets. Manjrekar suggests this is not a decline in skill, but a calculated tactical move by opposing teams.
"Block him out" strategy: Teams have identified Bumrah as the only major threat. By refusing to play big shots against him, they deny him the "trap" wickets that usually fuel his stats.
Energy conservation: Manjrekar noted that multi-format players like Bumrah are visibly "switching off" during lower-stakes moments to manage fatigue.
Collateral damage: Because teams "go easy" on Bumrah, they can aggressively target the rest of MI’s vulnerable bowling attack without consequence.
The "cash-only" trade of Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans to Mumbai remains the most controversial move in recent IPL history. Manjrekar suspects the decision was driven by a desire for "newsworthy" headlines rather than sound cricketing strategy.
Hardik Pandya had success with the Gujarat Titans, and that had a lot to do with somebody named Ashish Nehra. Hardik was brilliant because there was somebody next to him constantly with almost every move that he made on the field.
Sanjay Manjrekar
He argues that assuming Pandya would replicate his GT success without Nehra’s "constant" tactical support was a fundamental misunderstanding of why that team functioned.
Prime rule: T20 is a modern format; teams must recruit players who are currently in their "prime" rather than betting on past reputation.
Gaikwad’s burden: The CSK skipper has struggled to find his opening rhythm while balancing the psychological weight of the "Dhoni factor" in the dugout.
Energy factor: Manjrekar draws a parallel with Kagiso Rabada, noting how elite pacers clearly conserve energy for World Cup moments vs. routine IPL fixtures.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s critique serves as a warning: reputation does not win trophies in 2026. As the league grows more data-driven and ruthless, the emotional attachment to "big brands" is becoming a liability for CSK and MI. To climb out of the bottom half, these franchises may need to decisively pivot away from their past and embrace a colder, more current philosophy.
