In a major blow for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was on Thursday ruled out of the IPL 2025 due to an elbow injury. After Ruturaj’s injury, MS Dhoni will captain CSK for the remainder of IPL 2025.
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed the development on Thursday (April 10), the eve of the team’s home game against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Gaikwad, who was appointed Chennai Super Kings’ captain in IPL 2024, sustained an elbow injury during the match against the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on March 30. Though he played in the next two games, against Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings, scans have now confirmed a fracture and star batter has now been officially sidelined.
“Unfortunately, Ruturaj Gaikwad is going to be ruled out of the tournament. He got hit in Guwahati. He’s been operating with an amount of pain. We got an X-ray, which was inconclusive, and we had an MRI, which revealed a fracture in his elbow, so we’re disappointed and feel for him,” Fleming told mediapersons ahead of the match against KKR on Friday.
“We appreciate the efforts that he’s gone to in terms of trying to play but unfortunately, he’ll be out of this tournament for now. We have an uncapped player in MS Dhoni who will take over as captain for the remainder of the IPL,” he added.
MS Dhoni, who relinquished the CSK captaincy after leading their fifth IPL title in 2023, set to return in the role. Under his captaincy, CSK have reached 10 IPL finals and secured 5 championship titles, making him one of the most successful leaders in the league’s history.
Chennai Super Kings, who started IPL 2025 with a win against Mumbai Indians, have since suffered four consecutive defeats. With Dhoni back at the helm, the team will now bank on his leadership and experience to turn their season around.
CSK’s Remaining Matches Of IPL 2025
April 11, 2025 – CSK vs. Kolkata Knight Riders at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
April 14, 2025 – Lucknow Super Giants vs. CSK at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
April 20, 2025 – Mumbai Indians vs. CSK at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
April 25, 2025 – CSK vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
April 30, 2025 – CSK vs. Punjab Kings at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
May 3, 2025 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs. CSK at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
May 7, 2025 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs. CSK at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
May 12, 2025 – CSK vs. Rajasthan Royals at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
May 18, 2025 – Gujarat Titans vs. CSK at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
