MS Dhoni to lead CSK; Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of IPL 2025

NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings have suffered a major blow with Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of the remainder of the IPL 2025 due to an elbow fracture. In a move that will delight fans, MS Dhoni is set to take over the captaincy duties for the rest of the season.
Head Coach Stephen Fleming confirmed the development on Thursday a day before CSK’s home clash against Kolkata Knight Riders.

"Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of IPL with fracture on elbow. MS Dhoni to take over as captain," Fleming told mediapersons on Thursday.

“As far as replacements go, we have a few options in the squad. We haven’t zeroed in on anyone. Dhoni was ready to take over. He understood where it was coming from,” Fleming said.

Dhoni has led CSK in a record 235 matches, including all of the franchise’s five title wins.
CSK’s IPL triumphs under Dhoni came in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023.

In 2022, Ravindra Jadeja was appointed captain but Dhoni was forced to re-take the reins mid-season due to a string of poor performances.
Ahead of the 2024 season, Dhoni had passed on the captaincy baton to Gaikwad.
CSK are currently languishing at the penultimate spot in the points table with only one in five matches.
They have suffered their biggest-ever home defeat in 18 years of the IPL against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.