MS Dhoni Returns as Chennai Super Kings Captain After Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Injury

In a significant development for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), MS Dhoni has taken over the team’s captaincy for the remainder of the IPL 2025 season. This change comes after current captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out due to a hairline fracture in his elbow. Gaikwad sustained the injury during a match against the Rajasthan Royals, where he impressively scored 63 runs despite being struck on the elbow. He continued to play in subsequent games against Delhi and Punjab before medical assessments confirmed the severity of his injury, leading to his withdrawal from the tournament.

MS Dhoni, 43, is no stranger to leadership, having captained CSK for 14 seasons since the inception of the IPL in 2008, excluding the team’s suspension period in 2016-2017. He had previously stepped down from the captaincy ahead of the 2024 season, handing over the reins to Gaikwad. Under Gaikwad’s leadership, CSK aimed to build a new era, with Dhoni expressing his support and confidence in the young captain’s abilities.

The 2025 season has been challenging for CSK, currently positioned ninth out of ten teams, with four losses in their first five matches. Dhoni’s return to the helm is seen as a strategic move to leverage his vast experience and leadership skills to navigate the team through this difficult phase. CSK’s next game is scheduled at home against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday, where fans and analysts alike will be keen to observe the impact of Dhoni’s reinstated captaincy on the team’s performance.

This leadership change underscores the unpredictable nature of the IPL and highlights the importance of adaptive strategies in response to unforeseen challenges. As the season progresses, CSK supporters will be hopeful that Dhoni’s leadership can steer the team back to its winning ways.