CSK Captain 2025 | MS Dhoni CSK Captain Again: Stephen Fleming Confirms After Ruturaj Gaikwad Injury Blow

MS Dhoni Returns as CSK Captain for IPL 2025 After Ruturaj Gaikwad Injury Blow

Summary

In a dramatic twist in IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have once again turned to their most trusted leader MS Dhoni. Following the unfortunate injury of Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed Dhoni’s return as captain for the remainder of the tournament. Despite being listed as an uncapped player due to BCCI’s new rule, Dhoni’s experience and leadership pedigree remain unmatched. The move comes at a critical juncture, with CSK languishing at the bottom of the table, having lost four out of five matches.

MS Dhoni’s Captaincy Legacy and Return

MS Dhoni returning as CSK captain in IPL 2025 feels almost like a script from a blockbuster cricket movie. At 43, having already passed the leadership baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the season, Dhoni has been called back to stabilize a CSK ship that is clearly struggling to stay afloat.

Fleming, speaking ahead of CSK's home clash against Kolkata Knight Riders, revealed that Dhoni showed absolutely no hesitation when asked to step up again. "He had no hesitation to step up and help guide us out of this if we can," Fleming said. And really, that sums up Dhoni the eternal crisis man of Chennai Super Kings.

The Ruturaj Gaikwad Setback: Playing Through Pain

Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury saga is a testament to his grit and determination. After being struck on the elbow by a Tushar Deshpande bouncer during the March 30 clash against Rajasthan Royals, Gaikwad pushed himself to play through the pain. Despite an initial X-ray that was inconclusive, further MRI scans revealed the worst a fracture on his elbow's radial neck.

Fleming admitted how tough it was for the team and for Gaikwad himself. "He got hit in Guwahati. He's been operating with an amount of pain. But unfortunately, he's out of the tournament from now."

Gaikwad was CSK's second-highest run-scorer this season with 122 runs at a strike rate of 150.61. His absence will be a significant void at the top of the order.

CSK's Familiar Dependence on MS Dhoni

This is not the first time CSK have turned to MS Dhoni mid-season. The 2022 season saw Ravindra Jadeja handed the reins only for Dhoni to reclaim them after a string of defeats. Now in 2025, history has repeated itself.

CSK's faith in Dhoni is built on numbers that any cricketer in the world would envy. Dhoni has captained CSK in a record 235 of their 268 matches, delivering 5 IPL titles and 2 Champions League T20 trophies. He has also taken CSK to the finals on ten occasions, a record that underlines his tactical genius and calm head in pressure situations.

The Challenge of IPL 2025 for MS Dhoni

However, the task at hand for Dhoni is arguably one of his most challenging yet. CSK are ninth in the points table with just a solitary win in five games. The batting order has looked brittle, and the bowling has struggled for consistency.

Dhoni’s personal batting form has been decent in flashes. He has scored 103 runs in five matches this season, often batting lower down the order, playing brief cameos. But questions have been raised about his delayed entries to the crease, with many fans and experts calling for Dhoni to bat higher up the order.

Fleming was candid about the situation, stating that Dhoni's return as captain was as much about inspiring the team as it was about tactical leadership.

CSK's Plan Forward: Internal Solutions Over Replacements

When asked about possible replacements for Gaikwad, Fleming emphasized that CSK would first look within their existing squad. "We've got some good players in the squad that have been with us a while, so we'll look from within first," he said.

This means players like Devon Conway, Shaik Rasheed, or even Moeen Ali could be entrusted with greater responsibility at the top of the order.

While the franchise may explore outside options, IPL 2025’s mid-season replacement dynamics and player availability might make that difficult.

MS Dhoni's Uncapped Status: A New BCCI Rule Twist

Interestingly, Dhoni's captaincy return comes with an amusing footnote technically, he is now listed as an uncapped player. This is due to BCCI's recent rule treating players retired from international cricket for over five years as uncapped for IPL purposes.

But let’s be honest, no rule or label can diminish what Dhoni means to CSK or to IPL cricket. He remains a captain, a leader, and a legend in every sense of the word.

CSK Fans React: Emotional but Hopeful

CSK fans, already emotionally invested in Dhoni’s every appearance, have mixed emotions. While there’s joy at seeing Thala leading again, there’s also concern about the team’s form and Dhoni’s workload at this stage of his career.

On social media, memes, tribute videos, and fan messages have flooded timelines, with many hoping Dhoni’s Midas touch can once again resurrect CSK’s season.