IPL 2025: Dhoni Returns as CSK Captain After Injury Rules Out Gaikwad for Season

In a twist of fate, MS Dhoni is going to play the captain again for Chennai Super Kings when the team takes on Kolkata Knight Riders in a significant IPL 2025 match at Chepauk on Friday.

With its regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad out injured with an elbow fracture, most successful IPL skipper takes on the responsibility of leading CSK's struggling team.

The five-time champions have had a poor start to the season, losing four out of five games and are currently placed at 9th place in the 10-team league. Gaikwad, who has been their best batter this season, got hurt after a Jofra Archer bouncer hit him on March 30.

Though he played two matches despite being in pain, MRI scans showed a fracture, meaning he is out of the tournament.

CSK manager Stephen Fleming attested Dhoni's return to the helm of affairs:

"He had no fear to put his hand up and assist to help get us out of that. That was never in question," Fleming opined. "We'll work from within first, but we also look to add how can make the side stronger going forward."

Dhoni, who led CSK between 2008 and 2023, guided them to five IPL trophies before stepping down and making way for Gaikwad in 2024. Today, at the age of 43, he returns to captain once again in what may turn out to be one of the most emotionally turbulent periods of his IPL career.

With the batting unit underperforming — especially in chases over 180 — CSK is exploring changes. Rahul Tripathi could be slotted back into the top order despite his poor form, while Deepak Hooda might bolster the middle order. The management may also gamble on the untested Vansh Bedi for late-innings fireworks and bring in Mumbai teenager Ayush Mhatre as an impact player.

The stakes could not be any higher as CSK aim to trigger a turnaround under the talismanic guidance of "Thala" Dhoni once again.