Ruturaj Gaikwad Ruled Out of IPL 2025 Due to Elbow Fracture; MS Dhoni Takes Over as CSK Captain
NEW DELHI: In a massive blow to Chennai Super Kings (CSK), their regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the remainder of the IPL 2025 season due to an elbow fracture. The injury, sustained during a clash against Rajasthan Royals, has paved the way for the iconic Mahendra Singh Dhoni to reclaim the captaincy role, bringing a wave of nostalgia and hope to the CSK camp ahead of their high-stakes match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed the unfortunate news during a press conference on Thursday. Gaikwad, known for his elegant strokeplay and calm leadership, was struck on the elbow by a vicious short ball from Jofra Archer while playing in Guwahati. Initial X-rays proved inconclusive, but a subsequent MRI revealed a fracture in the radial neck of his elbow, ruling him out of the tournament.
“We’re disappointed and feel for Ruturaj. He’s been playing through significant pain and put in immense effort to stay on the field. Unfortunately, the injury is severe enough to end his campaign. We’re fortunate to have an experienced leader in MS Dhoni, who will take over as captain for the rest of the IPL,” Fleming told mediapersons.
Dhoni, who stepped down from captaincy ahead of the 2022 season, returned to the helm with his characteristic composure. Speaking at the toss against KKR, the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman elaborated on Gaikwad’s absence and its impact on the team. “Ruturaj has fractured his elbow, so he’s out of the tournament. He’s a very authentic batter who times the ball beautifully. His absence is a big miss for us,” Dhoni said, highlighting Gaikwad’s importance as a top-order mainstay.
Statistically, Gaikwad has been a cornerstone for CSK since his breakthrough season in 2021, when he clinched the Orange Cap with 635 runs. His consistency and ability to anchor innings made him a natural choice for captaincy after Dhoni. In IPL 2025, before the injury, Gaikwad had already notched up 300+ runs at a strike rate of over 140, showcasing his adaptability to the T20 format.
With the team reeling from recent losses, Dhoni emphasized the need to refocus on the basics. “Every game is important now. We’ve lost too many matches, and it’s time to execute the small things right—dot balls, catches, and avoiding those big overs that cost us 20 runs. Our batters are more authentic; they rely on timing rather than slogging. We need to start well, get early boundaries, and pick up wickets in the powerplay,” he added during the toss.
For the crucial encounter against KKR, CSK made tactical changes to their Playing XI. Rahul Tripathi replaced Gaikwad in the batting lineup, while uncapped pacer Anshul Kamboj came in for Mukesh Choudhary, aiming to bolster the bowling attack. Dhoni also opted to bat first, citing the slowing nature of the pitch as a key factor in the decision.
Team Lineups:
Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Quinton de Kock (w), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy
As CSK battles to keep their playoff hopes alive, the return of MS Dhoni as captain adds an emotional layer to the campaign. Known for his tactical acumen and ability to inspire under pressure, ‘Thala’ will aim to steer the five-time champions through choppy waters. For fans, seeing Dhoni back at the helm is a reminder of the golden era, but the road ahead remains challenging with Gaikwad’s irreplaceable presence missing at the top.
Can CSK turn their fortunes around under Dhoni’s leadership? Stay tuned for live updates and in-depth analysis of this pivotal IPL 2025 clash!