MS Dhoni Might Captain Chennai Super Kings In IPL 2025 Match Against Delhi Capitals: Report

Last Updated:April 04, 2025, 19:15 IST

MS Dhoni may captain Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025 match against Delhi Capitals due to Ruturaj Gaikwad’s hand injury.

MS Dhoni (PTI Photo)

Legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni could reportedly captain Chennai Super Kings (CSK) once again on Friday because regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad is doubtful for their Saturday’s IPL 2025 match against Delhi Capitals in Chennai. According to The Indian Express, the gate for Dhoni to lead the franchise again is open because there are no other clear captaincy choices available with the five-time champions.

Dhoni last captained CSK in the final of IPL 2023 where they beat Gujarat Titans to win his and the franchise’s fifth IPL title. Gaikwad was hit on his forearm by a delivery Tushar Deshpande during their match against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday. Although the skipper continued to bat despite looking in pain, he hasn’t trained since. CSK batting coach David Hussey also said a call on him will be taken after assessing his nets session.

“Yeah, we’re hoping he’s going to try and have a bat today for training. And, yeah, it’s still a little bit sore, but it’s improving every day. So, we’re very hopeful, very confident that he’ll be fine for tomorrow (Saturday),” Hussey said on the eve of the match, as quoted in the newspaper’s report.

When asked about who could captain the team in Gaikwad’s absence, Hussey said he hadn’t thought about it before hinting at Dhoni’s name.

“I’m not sure, actually. I don’t think we’ve actually thought about that too much. Well, I haven’t thought about it too much. I’m sure (head coach, Stephen) Fleming and Rutu (Ruturaj) have thought about that. But we’ve got some young guy coming through. He’s behind the stumps. Maybe he can do a good job. I’m not sure. He’s got a bit of experience in the role, so maybe he could do it. But I’m not exactly sure, to be honest,” Hussey said.

Dhoni left captaincy after the 2023 season but has remained an integral part of the franchise, often controversially with many questioning his impact in matches. Before the season, he also made it clear that the captaincy transition from him to Gaikwad is also completed because the youngster is making most of the calls on the field.

CSK have won just one of their first three matches and are coming against a Capitals side which is unbeaten after two matches.

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