Ruturaj Gaikwad has failed to make a mark with his leadership and batting this season.
Ashwin acknowledged that the added responsibility and public scrutiny appear to have impacted Gaikwad's natural batting rhythm, urging fans and stakeholders to be patient.
Gaikwad came under the scanner for his turtle-paced knock of 21-ball 15 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Chepauk on Monday (May 18), which took his tally to 321 runs in 13 innings this season at an average of 29.18 and a strike rate of 120.67, including two half-centuries.
"The added responsibility of captaincy seems to have affected Ruturaj Gaikwad's batting. T20 cricket is already demanding, and carrying the burden of leadership alongside expectations from a franchise like CSK can have a significant impact on a player," Ashwin told JioHotstar.
Ashwin believes the Chennai-based franchise is actively undergoing a post-Dhoni transition. Pointing out that leadership is still a relatively new experience for Gaikwad, he called for giving the young skipper space to grow.
"Chennai Super Kings are clearly in a transition phase in the post-Dhoni era, and it's important for everyone around the franchise, fans, stakeholders, and the team itself, to recognise that rebuilding takes time.
"The standards and expectations associated with CSK are incredibly high because of their legacy, but this group needs space and patience as they evolve," Ashwin added.
Former Australia skipper Aaron Finch, who was also part of the discussion on JioHotstar, advised Ruturaj Gaikwad to focus on rediscovering his batting form amidst the harsh judgment of captaincy.
"It's important not to judge a player or a captain based on just one season because T20 cricket can be extremely demanding and unpredictable. From a captaincy perspective, Ruturaj Gaikwad has still led the side well, especially with his decisions and composure on the field,” Finch stated.
"At times, form and leadership pressure can overlap, but for him it now comes down to rediscovering his batting rhythm and getting back to scoring consistently. The quality is still there, and sometimes in T20 cricket, phases like these can change very quickly," he further remarked.
After losing to SRH by five wickets, CSK’s playoff chances are hanging by a thread. With 12 points from 13 matches, the five-time champions sit in sixth place and no longer control their own fate. They must win their last league match against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad on May 21 and depend heavily on other results to secure a top-four finish.