Is Ruturaj Gaikwad Faking His Injury to Bring MS Dhoni Back as CSK Captain for IPL 2025?

As a team, Chennai Super Kings have been the 5-time IPL champions, but their 2025 campaign hasn’t started on a high. With four losses in their first five matches, CSK is struggling near the bottom of the table. In a major development, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the rest of the season due to a hairline fracture in his elbow, and MS Dhoni has officially taken over the captaincy once again. This announcement, made by head coach Stephen Fleming, has sparked widespread excitement among fans, but also raises key questions. In the press conference, Stephen Fleming said that:

We haven’t started well and need to bounce back. Ruturaj’s injury is unfortunate, but we had to act. Who better than Dhoni to take up the leadership mantle? Dhoni had no hesitation. He was ready to guide the side out of this situation. There was never a doubt.

Is this a strategic move by the CSK management to bring back MS Dhoni to rescue a failing campaign? While the injury to Gaikwad is confirmed through MRI scans, some wonder if CSK always had Dhoni’s return in mind, especially considering the team’s downward spiral. This also exposes a larger concern, that despite all the years under Dhoni’s leadership, CSK is yet to successfully groom a long-term successor. Ruturaj had only just taken over and is now out, leaving the leadership void once again to be filled by their legendary skipper. While fans rejoice at Thala’s return, CSK’s future beyond Dhoni remains uncertain.

Ruturaj Gaikwad Spotted Playing Football After Being Ruled Out of IPL 2025!

Just after it was announced that Ruturaj Gaikwad won’t be available for the rest of the IPL 2025 season due to a hairline fracture in his elbow, fans were left disappointed by the fact that their captain, who was also a key part of the middle order, wouldn’t be taking the field. But what happened after that announcement has stirred up major controversy and confusion among fans and experts sitting in the commentary box for the Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru game.

Shortly after head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed Gaikwad’s injury and MS Dhoni’s return as CSK captain, live visuals from a training session surfaced that showed Gaikwad casually juggling a football. He was seen using his supposedly injured right arm without any visible discomfort, even playfully tossing the ball and chatting with KKR’s Moeen Ali. Although he wore a compression sleeve, his free movement didn’t match the seriousness of an elbow fracture. 

This raised eyebrows, especially as it happened right before CSK’s crucial clash against KKR. Aakash Chopra even voiced his disbelief live on air. With CSK losing four out of their first five matches, many now wonder if this was a planned move to bring back Dhoni as a last hope to revive the season. While there’s no official response from CSK or Gaikwad about the footage, fans are still puzzled. Was it an actual injury or a smart call by the management to bring back “Thala” at the Captaincy?

Why Did MS Dhoni Take Over CSK Captaincy Mid-Season from Ravindra Jadeja Back Then?

It’s not the first time that MS Dhoni has taken back the captaincy of Chennai Super Kings in the middle of an IPL season. A similar situation happened in IPL 2022 when CSK started the season with Ravindra Jadeja as their new captain. It was seen as a long-term plan, with Jadeja expected to take over from Dhoni while still having the legend in the squad for support. However, things didn’t go as planned for the team in the season.

Jadeja, despite being one of CSK’s key players over the years, struggled with the pressure of captaincy. His form dipped both with the bat and ball, and he seemed unsure while making tactical decisions on the field. CSK looked out of rhythm and lacked their usual sharpness under his leadership. However, with just 2 wins in the 8 games, things looked too tough for the CSK team. The team’s position in the points table was poor, and it became clear that the leadership change hadn’t worked. 

Reports suggested that Jadeja himself asked to step down from the role to focus on his game. That’s when MS Dhoni stepped back in as captain, hoping to turn things around for the team. While it was a tough call, it helped bring back some stability. Now in IPL 2025, something similar is happening again, with Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out due to injury and Dhoni back as captain. Once again, it raises questions about whether CSK has truly prepared a successor to lead the team after Dhoni.