The Indian Premier League 2025 has witnessed a dramatic twist as MS Dhoni returns to lead the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after Ruturaj Gaikwad suffered an unfortunate elbow injury. This shift marks not just a change in leadership but a potentially game-altering moment in CSK’s campaign. The franchise, currently languishing at the bottom of the points table, seeks resurgence under the seasoned leadership of their most iconic player.
Gaikwad’s Injury and the Captaincy Handoff
Ruturaj Gaikwad entered IPL 2025 with great expectations. CSK had handed him the captaincy torch, trusting him to carry forward Dhoni’s legacy. Gaikwad started the season with a few promising knocks, but inconsistency and mounting pressure affected his rhythm. In their fifth match of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gaikwad sustained an elbow fracture while fielding near the boundary line. Medical reports confirmed that he would miss the remainder of the season.
CSK’s management wasted no time. They immediately reinstated Dhoni as the captain for the rest of the tournament. Fans welcomed this move with enthusiasm, reigniting hopes for a team that has struggled to find its groove this year.
CSK’s Current Standing and Performance
Chennai Super Kings sit at ninth position in the points table. They have won only one match out of their first five. Their bowling unit lacks sting, and their middle order continues to crumble under pressure. Gaikwad’s injury exacerbated the team’s woes, both tactically and mentally. The team needed a leader who could steady the ship and inspire belief.
MS Dhoni, the man who led CSK to five IPL titles, stepped up. His return to captaincy does not just represent nostalgia—it represents tactical depth, man-management excellence, and calm decision-making under pressure.
Dhoni’s Influence: More Than Just Symbolic
MS Dhoni last captained CSK in 2023. After handing over the reins to Gaikwad in 2024, Dhoni assumed a mentor role. However, even in the background, his influence remained strong. Players often credited him for calming nerves in the dressing room and offering real-time game insights from behind the stumps.
Now, with the captain’s armband back on his arm, Dhoni enters a more direct role. In CSK’s training sessions post-captaincy announcement, players looked sharper. Dhoni immediately changed fielding drills and involved himself in net sessions more actively. His leadership already starts making a difference.
Team Dynamics Under Dhoni
Dhoni understands his team better than anyone else. He knows when to back a player and when to make a bold change. Under his leadership, Shivam Dube could return to his free-hitting role instead of playing conservatively. Moeen Ali may receive more freedom to bowl in the powerplay, a role where he found success in previous seasons.
The younger players like Rajvardhan Hangargekar and Mukesh Choudhary feel reassured under Dhoni’s leadership. The clarity in roles and Dhoni’s presence as a tactical guide will likely restore confidence in the squad.
Strategic Changes on the Horizon
Dhoni never approaches captaincy on autopilot. He adapts. He learns from mistakes, and he experiments boldly when needed. His immediate plan revolves around tightening CSK’s bowling attack and strengthening the middle order.
During Gaikwad’s tenure, CSK suffered due to weak bowling options at the death. Dhoni could reintroduce Dwaine Pretorius or Deepak Chahar in those overs and hold back spinners for crucial middle overs. In batting, the team lacked acceleration after the powerplay. Dhoni might promote Dube or even push himself up the order if the situation demands.
Moreover, field placement—a known Dhoni specialty—will see a noticeable improvement. He reacts quickly to batter patterns and often sets traps that produce breakthroughs.
The Emotional Connection: Fans and the Franchise
Chennai Super Kings fans treat Dhoni like royalty. The moment the news broke of his return as captain, social media exploded with celebratory posts. Ticket sales spiked for CSK’s upcoming home fixtures. Fans believe in Dhoni’s magic, and the morale boost this decision creates goes beyond analytics or stats.
Franchise owners and team staff also rallied behind the decision. They know the value of having a calm, decisive leader when the campaign appears to slip away. Dhoni brings not only credibility but also unity to a team that desperately needs direction.
Challenges Ahead for Dhoni
While Dhoni’s return brings positivity, the challenges remain immense. CSK faces must-win scenarios in almost every match moving forward. Injuries continue to trouble the squad, and their net run rate remains among the lowest in the tournament.
Dhoni must balance experience with fresh energy. He must rotate players smartly while ensuring the core remains stable. CSK needs consistent performances from their senior pros—Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, and Ben Stokes—if they want to bounce back.
Fitness also remains a concern for Dhoni himself. Though still match-fit, he plays with knee issues and rarely takes singles. As a captain, he leads mentally and tactically, but physically, his contributions must get measured.
What This Means for CSK’s Season
Dhoni’s return doesn’t guarantee playoff qualification. But it does give CSK their best shot. They need seven wins in the remaining nine games to realistically qualify. Every match now becomes a do-or-die situation.
The team must come together as a unit. Batters must convert starts. Bowlers must control the final overs. Dhoni’s experience will guide them, but execution on the field remains key.
If CSK does manage a turnaround, the narrative of IPL 2025 could revolve around one man yet again—MS Dhoni.
A Legacy Continues
Dhoni never announced formal retirement from the IPL. While many speculated that IPL 2024 was his swan song, his presence this season, especially now as captain, confirms that the legend hasn’t bowed out just yet. He continues to play the role of the guiding force—steadily steering his beloved franchise when it needs him the most.
This might be Dhoni’s final innings as CSK’s skipper, or it might just be the beginning of another late-career miracle. Whatever the outcome, Dhoni’s return as captain in IPL 2025 will remain one of the most emotional and defining moments in the tournament’s history.
Final Word:
Cricket, often driven by data and youth, occasionally witnesses the return of icons who defy time. MS Dhoni’s return to CSK captaincy isn’t just a story of leadership; it’s a lesson in resilience, experience, and belief. And as the IPL caravan moves forward, all eyes now rest on “Thala” to script yet another CSK resurgence.
