IPL 2025: MS Dhoni returns to lead CSK as Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of remaining season with injury

Veteran wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni will return to helm as the captain of the Chennai Super Kings as Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the remainder of the IPL 2025 with an elbow injury. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad suffered an injury to his elbow during the clash against Rajasthan Royals at Barsapara Stadium in Assam. However, the CSK captain was featured in the next two matches against Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings. Ahead of the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders, the Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed that Gaikwad has been ruled out due to elbow fracture and MS Dhoni will be leading the side for the remainder of the season. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad was appointed as the CSK captain ahead of the last IPL season after MS Dhoni led the side to their record-equalling fifth IPL title in 2023. Under the leadership of Gaikwad, Chennai Super Kings endured a disappointing campaign as they were knocked from the league stage by Royal Challengers Bengaluru based on net run rate (NRR). 

Despite not having an ideal debut captaincy IPL season, Ruturaj Gaikwad was still entrusted with the responsibility of leading the five-time champions in the ongoing IPL 2025. However, the 28-year-old will have to step aside due to his elbow, allowing MS Dhoni to take the charge once again and lead the team for the remainder of IPL 2025. 

Stephen Fleming gives update on Ruturaj’s elbow injury

Speaking at the press conference on the eve of the clash against KKR at Chepauk, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming revealed that Ruturaj Gaikwad was playing through pain after being hit on his elbow during the clash against Rajasthan Royals, adding that MRI scan showed fracture in elbow’s radical neck. 

Fleming felt disappointed to have Ruturaj ruled out of the tournament and appreciated his efforts to play the last matches despite pain. 

"He got hit in Guwahati. He's been operating with an amount of pain. We got an X-ray, which was inconclusive, and we had an MRI, which revealed a fracture in his elbow, in the radial neck.” Fleming said. 

“So we're disappointed and feel for him. We appreciate the efforts that he's gone to in terms of trying to play, but unfortunately, he'd be out of the tournament from now. We have an uncapped player, MS Dhoni, who will take over as captain for the remainder of the IPL," he added. 

MS Dhoni is returning to lead Chennai Super Kings at a crucial juncture where they have lost four matches in five outings. CSK’s only victory came against Mumbai Indians, while they lost remaining matches against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings. 

This is not the first time MS Dhoni stepped in as the captain in the middle of an IPL season. Back in 2022, Dhoni took over the reins of CSK as a captain after the side endured disappointing start to their campaign under Ravindra Jadeja’s leadership, where they lost where they lost six out of their first eight matches,

MS Dhoni’s record as a captain in IPL 

MS Dhoni is one of the most decorated and successful captains in the history of IPL. The 43-year-old led the Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023, making him the joint-most successful captain alongside former Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma. 

Apart from success as a captain in terms of number of IPL titles, MS Dhoni is the most successful skipper in terms of number of wins, winning 133 matches in 226 outings. Apart from leading Chennai Super Kings, Dhoni also led Rising Pune Super Giants in the IPL 2016.

MS Dhoni has captained Chennai Super Kings for 15 seasons of the IPL and now, he will once again take charge in the ongoing IPL season and will look to turn their campaign around and lead them to playoffs.