In a crucial boost for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), veteran player MS Dhoni has returned to the captaincy position for the rest of the IPL 2025 season. This follows after incumbent skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out of action by an elbow injury.

Ruturaj Gaikwad's Injury Setback

Ruturaj Gaikwad injured his elbow while playing for CSK against the Rajasthan Royals on March 30. Though injured, he played in the following games, indicating his dedication to the team. However, subsequent medical checks revealed that he had fractured his elbow, prompting him to withdraw from the tournament. Head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed the news, lamenting Gaikwad's absence.

MS Dhoni's Return to Leadership

MS Dhoni, 43, is no newcomer to CSK leadership as he captained the team from its launch in 2008 to 2023. Under his captaincy, CSK won five IPL titles and two Champions League titles. Coming back as captain is viewed as a calculated decision to shore up the team, which has struggled in the ongoing season.

CSK's Current Position

CSK's performance has been poor at the beginning of the IPL 2025 season, having won a single game out of the first five. They are currently ninth in the points table, a position that is higher than Sunrisers Hyderabad. The team believes captaincy will also give them a positive change in their performance.​

What's Ahead

With future matches against strong opponents such as Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, and Mumbai Indians, CSK hopes to ride Dhoni's experience through the rest of the season. Fans and pundits will be interested to observe how this leadership adjustment affects the team's performance and dynamic