CHENNAI: Skilled wicketkeeper batter MS Dhoni has been named Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 remainder, head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed on Thursday.
The development came after CSK Captain Raturaj Gaikwad was ruled out of the residual tournament due to an elbow fracture.
He continued the injury during CSK’s match against Rajasthan Royals on March 30 while facing Tushar Deshpande. Although he featured in the following matches against Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings, scans have now confirmed a fracture.
“Unfortunately, Ruturaj Gaikwad is going to be reigned out of the tournament,” Fleming said. “He got success in Guwahati. He’s been operating with an amount of pain. We got an X-ray, which was indecisive, and we had an MRI, which exposed a fracture in his elbow, so we’re disappointed and feel for him.
“We appreciate the energies that he’s gone to in relations of trying to play but unfortunately, he’ll be out of this tournament for now. We have an opened player in MS Dhoni who will take over as captain for the remainder of the IPL.”
Fleming shared that the experienced wicketkeeper batter, who held CSK’s captaincy for the popular of the franchise’s history, had no hesitation in accepting the role as he was aware that the team was in need.
“He understands that the team is in need at the moment,” said Flemming on Dhoni approving to return as captain.
“There’s Rutu who didn’t want to go. So, he had no hesitation to step up and help guide us out of this if he be able to. So, that was never a doubt.”
Speaking on Gaikwad’s spare, head coach Fleming said that they will look from within the squad first but did not rule out the ‘opportunity’ of attractive their squad.
“Replacements, we’ll look at. We’ve got some good players in the squad that have been with us a while, so, we’ll look from in first. But, yeah, there is an opportunity to see how we can improve the squad perhaps moving forward into following years.”
For the unexperienced, MS Dhoni has captained CSK in 235 of their 268 matches, leading them to five IPL titles – 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023 – and two Champions League T20 trophies.
Below his leadership, the CSK failed to make it to the Top Four just twice and qualified for 10 IPL finals, including four in a row from 2010 to 2013.
