Chennai Super Kings (CSK) failed to qualify for the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in the history of Indian Premier League (IPL). The Yellow Army find themselves at the bottom of the points table, managing just two victories out of the 11 matches they've played so far in the campaign. This has led to plenty of discussion on MS Dhoni's future, with many arguing it's time for the veteran to hang his boots.
Dhoni handed over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad before the 2024 edition, which saw CSK finish fifth. In 2025, the Maharashtra batter remained in that position until an injury ended his campaign, forcing the team to re-elect Dhoni as the captain for the remainder of the season. However, the problems persisted, therefore the change in leadership had no effect on the situation. CSK suffered their ninth loss of the season on Saturday, which saw rivals Royal Challengers Bengaluru complete a double over the five-time champions for the first time in the competition.
Reflecting his thoughts on the seasoned cricketer and the franchise, Ganga while speaking on ESPNCricinfo expressed that assembling the team around Dhoni was always a risky move, and it always put them at a "disadvantage" because of his protracted knee ailment and the fact that he doesn't play competitive cricket outside the IPL. Ganga added Dhoni's appointment as the team's stand-in captain seemed like going "back to square one".
"If you're planning for next season, you're pegging your hopes on a player who's not playing competitive cricket between IPL seasons. Isn't that putting yourself at a disadvantage? One on the fitness of that player, the availability to player to play an entire season? You find yourself back to square one where you will be searching for a captain, a man who is not part of the entire process of strategic planning and direction for a season. So I feel you're in that constant cycle of development and not progressing."
Ganga emphasized that CSK should have backups prepared to assume the captaincy position. He also mentioned that Dhoni with the captaincy as alternative makes the scenario "unsettling" for regular skipper Gaikwad.
"My biggest question is should he (Dhoni) be considered a captain in that squad when you - 18 years from the start of him leading the side. We all agree theoretically that it's sport - it's cyclical, leadership has a shelf life. But I feel having a guy like Ruturaj Gaikwad and in the past Ravindra Jadeja, in that sort of unsettling situation where it seems that MS still has ambitions of captaincy, is not a good situation to be in. I've been in that situation before. It is very unsettling for you when you know that there's someone behind you who still has ambitions, but it is being shown as though he is not interested," he added.
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