CSK's intention over Dhoni's 'captaincy ambition' questioned

Former West Indies cricketer Daren Ganga has expressed apprehension regarding Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) continuous reliance on MS Dhoni as captain, suggesting it could jeopardise the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise’s future planning.

In the ongoing IPL 2025 season, Dhoni was brought back as captain after a mid-season elbow injury to Ruturaj Gaikwad disrupted the team’s leadership transition.

Challenges of Dhoni's Continuity

Ganga, during a discussion, remarked, "Is that not a high risk for a team if you're planning for next season, you're pegging your hopes on a player who's not playing competitive cricket between IPL seasons?" 

Ganga raised concerns about CSK's vulnerability due to Dhoni's fitness and availability. "You find yourself back at square one, searching for a captain who's not part of the entire process of strategic planning for the season. It’s a cycle of development without progress," he added.

Leadership Evolution at CSK

The debate around CSK’s leadership strategy is not new. After Dhoni stepped down from captaincy in 2022, Ravindra Jadeja was appointed, only to revert the position back to Dhoni mid-season due to underperformance. Dhoni led again in 2023 before handing over to Gaikwad in 2024, whose injury led to yet another return for Dhoni in 2025.

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Ganga acknowledged Dhoni's invaluable role stating, "Yes. I think with his skills as a wicketkeeper and batter in critical innings, he has a right to be in the playing XI." 

However, he questioned the prudence of considering Dhoni for a long-term leadership role. "We all agree leadership has a shelf life in sports. Having someone like Gaikwad or Jadeja unsettled by MS’s perceived ambitions for captaincy isn’t ideal. I've been in such a situation—it’s unsettling when someone behind you seems interested in your role," Ganga added.