‘He is CSK’s biggest problem': Star player faces heavy criticism after flat shows in first three matches of IPL 2026

Chennai Super Kings struggle in IPL 2026 as Irfan Pathan criticises Noor Ahmad's performance, calling him the team's biggest problem.

Updated on: Apr 6, 2026, 19:24:57 IST

Written by HT Sports Desk | Edited by Probuddha Bhattacharjee

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Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has raised concerns over Chennai Super Kings’ struggling campaign in the Indian Premier League 2026, pointing to Noor Ahmad as the team’s “biggest problem” rather than their star batters.

Noor Ahmad and Sanju Samson chatting in the middle of an IPL 2026 match. (PTI)

CSK have endured a poor start to the season, suffering defeats against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals, and Punjab Kings. Their latest setback came in a high-scoring clash against RCB, where the opposition scored a massive 250/3 before bowling CSK out for 207 despite a spirited chase.

The defeat exposed serious concerns in CSK’s bowling unit. Apart from Khaleel Ahmed, most bowlers conceded runs at over 10 per over. Noor Ahmad, who had impressed in the previous season, struggled again, giving away 49 runs in his four overs and remaining wicketless this season so far.

“He (Noor) is CSK's biggest problem right now. He has bowled around 10 overs this season and conceded over 100 runs. He does not have a single wicket,” Pathan said, expressing disappointment with the spinner’s performance.

“I believe that if he corrects the angle of his run-up, the alignment will improve, and his hand, which has been falling on one side, will become straighter as well,” he added, pointing out technical flaws.

Also Read: KKR vs PBKS IPL 2026 Live Score: Rahane wins toss, opts to bat; rain threat looms in Kolkata

Irfan Pathan disappointed with Noor Ahmad

Pathan did not hold back in his assessment of the experienced bowler. “I am very disappointed with his bowling because he brings in a lot of experience. He has had strong performances and a good economy, but hasn't been able to perform like that in this league. An experienced bowler does not bowl a half-volley,” he said.

He also analysed key moments in the game, including Tim David's dismissal chance that turned into a costly error. “He (David) got bowled on a no-ball. Anshul Kamboj bluffed him, but giving Tim David a free hit means that you have become ‘khatron ke khiladi’(someone who plays with danger),” Pathan remarked.

Explaining the tactical errors, Pathan said, “Tim David usually stands outside the leg stump. So, bowling at the off stump gives him width. If the bowler thinks that he won't give room by bowling at the off stump, he is actually giving him room.”

“You have to bowl at the middle stump and leg stump; otherwise, he is going to hit you. You can block him initially, which Chennai did not do, and he took full advantage of that,” he concluded.

With multiple defeats early in the season, CSK’s bowling concerns, particularly Noor Ahmad’s form, remain a major challenge as they look to revive their IPL 2026 campaign.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Probuddha Bhattacharjee
Probuddha Bhattacharjee is a sports writer and analyst with expertise spanning cricket, football, and multi-sport events, with a strong emphasis on data-driven journalism and tactical storytelling. He currently focuses on international cricket, the Indian Premier League, global tournaments, and emerging trends shaping modern sport, blending advanced statistics with strong narrative context to explain performance, strategy, and decision-making. His work aims to bridge the gap between numbers and storytelling, helping readers understand not just what happened on the field, but the tactical and structural reasons behind it. Trained in data journalism through the Google News Initiative (GNI) Data Journalism Lab, Probuddha works extensively with ball-by-ball datasets, performance metrics, and trend-based modelling to produce evidence-backed reports, explainers, and long-form features. His analytical approach focuses not only on outcomes but also on process—selection strategies, phase-wise tactics, workload management, and the influence of preparation and planning on match results. He is particularly interested in how statistical patterns reshape conventional cricketing narratives and provide clearer tactical insight for modern audiences. Beyond cricket, Probuddha has written analytical and news-driven pieces on football and other major sporting events, with a growing interest in sports governance, scheduling dynamics, and the economics of elite competitions. He also tracks how rule changes, franchise structures, and broadcast pressures influence the evolution of contemporary sport. He has previously contributed to platforms such as OneCricket, Sportskeeda, and CrickTracker, and continues to specialise in analytical storytelling, live coverage, and audience-focused reporting. His work prioritises clarity, context, and credibility, while consistently exploring innovative ways to present data through accessible narratives and structured match analysis.Read More

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