Poonam Nath

Yellove fans excited to see MS Dhoni return as CSK captain for remainder of IPL 2025

Digital Desk: Thala fans were super excited after CSK announced his comeback as the captain for the rest of the IPL 2025 matches.

MS Dhoni will command Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the duration of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), after regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out with an elbow injury.

CSK coach Stephen Fleming acknowledged the development at the pre-match press conference on Thursday.

"We don't have many choices for replacements in the squad. We haven't settled on anyone. (MS) Dhoni was prepared to take over. He understood where it was coming from," the former New Zealand skipper explained.

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???? #CSK Head Coach Stephen Fleming announces MS Dhoni's return to captaincy as Ruturaj Gaikwad is ruled out of #TATAIPL 2025 due to an injury. pic.twitter.com/Far8uAleam

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 10, 2025

However, it is unknown when Gaikwad received the strike. Reportedly, it's informed that the CSK captain was caught off guard by a Tushar Deshpande delivery during their encounter against the Rajasthan Royals on March 30 and sustained an injury to his right arm.

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Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of the season due to a hairline fracture of the elbow.

MS DHONI TO LEAD. ????

GET WELL SOON, RUTU ! ✨ ????#WhistlePodu #Yellove???????? pic.twitter.com/U0NsVhKlny

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 10, 2025

Notably, MS Dhoni has led CSK from the IPL's debut in 2008, and he will step down at the end of 2023 season. Ruturaj Gaikwad takes over in 2024. MS Dhoni had given up the captaincy in 2022 and transferred the mantle to Ravindra Jadeja, but MS Dhoni took control midway through the tournament following a sequence of setbacks.

CSK will welcome the reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders at home on April 11, followed by two away games against the Lucknow Super Giants (April 14) and the Mumbai Indians (April 20).