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MS Dhoni has been reinstated as the captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the remainder of the ongoing IPL 2025, following Ruturaj Gaikwad's unfortunate injury.
Gaikwad suffered a hairline fracture to his elbow, ruling him out of the tournament. Though the return of Dhoni, affectionately known as 'Captain Cool', is a morale boost, former India batsman Robin Uthappa cautioned fans against expecting immediate transformative results.
CSK's Struggles in IPL 2025
The Chennai Super Kings find themselves in a precarious position, sitting ninth on the leaderboard with mere two points and suffering four consecutive defeats. As they gear up to face the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday, the team is in desperate need of a turnaround.
In an interview following the match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Uthappa highlighted the necessity for CSK to fill the void left by Gaikwad's absence, especially in their batting lineup.
Must Read: IPL 2025: MS Dhoni gets another chance to show his skills for CSK as captain
"I don’t think Dhoni returning as captain will automatically change CSK's fortunes. There are significant gaps in the team. How do you replace a pivotal player like Rutu, the only one in form?"asked Uthappa.
Addressing Team Line-up
Uthappa proposed that Rahul Tripathi might be an apt choice for the number 3 position, due to the inconsistency shown by other players. He also suggested incorporating Sam Curran back into the side, indicating that the upcoming matches will be crucial for the team's dynamics.
"Who steps in for Ruturaj, and what impact will this have on CSK's performance in the tournament? Many factors are at play here," Uthappa added.
Confirming the situation, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming stated on Thursday evening that Gaikwad sustained his injury during a match against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. Despite playing subsequent matches against the Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings, the severity of the injury has now sidelined him.
This development sees Dhoni step back into a familiar leadership role, reminiscent of his captaincy success in the IPL 2023, before handing over the captaincy to Gaikwad in 2024.
