IPL 2025: MS Dhoni may lead Chennai Super Kings again as Ruturaj Gaikwad uncertain for Delhi Capitals clash

IPL 2025: MS Dhoni to lead CSK against DC. (Photo: IPL)

Ruturaj Gaikwad has suffered a right forearm injury, which appears to have created a captaincy void in Chennai Super Kings. If the team's regular captain misses the game against Delhi Capitals at Chepauk on Saturday, then MS Dhoni might once again assume the captaincy role, a year after relinquishing it and handing it over to Gaikwad.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has suffered a right forearm injury, which appears to have created a captaincy void in Chennai Super Kings. If the team's regular captain misses the game against Delhi Capitals at Chepauk on Saturday, then MS Dhoni might once again assume the captaincy role, a year after relinquishing it and handing it over to Gaikwad.

CSK batting coach Michael Hussey dropped a hint that the team might go back to Dhoni, although it would be a one-off. “He is (Dhoni) behind the stumps. Maybe, he can do a good job. I’m not sure. He has got a bit of experience in the role, so maybe he could do it. But I’m not exactly sure, to be honest,” Hussey said at the pre-match press conference.

In fact, the Australian sort of remained tight-lipped on the captaincy issue, in case Gaikwad is ruled out.

“I’m not sure, actually. I don’t think we have actually thought about that too much. Well, I haven’t thought about it too much. I’m sure (Stephen) Fleming and Rutu (Gaikwad) have thought about that,” Hussey told reporters.

Gaikwad was hit on the right arm by a Tushar Deshpande delivery during CSK's last match against Rajasthan Royals. He hasn't trained since.

“We are hoping he (Gaikwad) is going to try and have a bat today for training. And yeah, it’s still a little bit sore, but it’s improving every day. So, we are very hopeful, very confident that he will be fine for tomorrow,” Hussey informed.

CSK have won only one of their first three matches in this year's IPL and are under a little bit of pressure. A defeat to Capitals at home might see them surrender the early season initiative. Batting-wise, they have a ready-made replacement for Gaikwad in Devon Conway. But Dhoni leading the five-time IPL champions again will make the atmosphere at Chepauk even more electric.

There's a previous instance of Dhoni leading the Indian team in an ODI - an Asia Cup fixture against Afghanistan in 2018 - after hanging up his captaincy boots. Virat Kohli, the India captain that time, skipped the tournament and stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma wasn't available for that game. So Dhoni had to step in.