MS Dhoni reappointed CSK captain for IPL 2025 as 'injured' Ruturaj Gaikwad dumped by Stephen Fleming

Chennai Super Kings have faced a massive blow ahead of their next game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Kolkata Knight Riders on 11th April. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the league with the injury after the scans revealed that he had fractured his elbow.

Ruturaj Gaikwad suffered an elbow injury during the game against Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2025, which took place on 30th March. The batter got hit on the elbow while batting against Tushar Deshpande and looked very uncomfortable after that.

MS Dhoni will be taking over the leadership of the team in absence of Ruturaj Gaikwad

After facing that blow against Rajasthan Royals, there were a lot of speculations about his fitness. The Chennai Super Kings skipper then went on to play the next two games, against Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings. However, ahead of the game against Kolkata Knight Riders, scans confirmed that he had a fracture.

Ruturaj Gaikwad getting ruled out of the IPL 2025 will be a massive blow for the Chennai Super Kings. This is because he has been a key batter for the team for the last few years, and with the team being in a tough position, his absence will leave a massive void.

In his absence, MS Dhoni will be taking over the leadership of the team. This marks his return as a captain for the first time after he guided the team to the title win in the final of the IPL 2023 against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

He's been operating with an amount of pain - Stephen Fleming on Ruturaj Gaikwad

The development was confirmed by the Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming, who confirmed Ruturaj Gaikwad's fracture.

"He got hit in Guwahati. He's been operating with an amount of pain. We got an X-ray, which was inconclusive, and we had an MRI, which revealed a fracture in his elbow, in the radial neck," CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said in the pre-match press conference ahead of the next fixture against KKR.

We have an uncapped player, MS Dhoni, who will take over as captain for the remainder of the IPL - Stephen Fleming

Stephen Fleming expressed his disappointment over Ruturaj Gaikwad getting ruled out of the IPL 2025 before confirming that MS Dhoni will be leading the team for the rest of the season. He added:

"So we're disappointed and feel for him. We appreciate the efforts that he's gone to in terms of trying to play, but unfortunately, he'd be out of the tournament from now. We have an uncapped player, MS Dhoni, who will take over as captain for the remainder of the IPL."

The return of MS Dhoni as a skipper no doubt will be a massive boost for the Chennai Super Kings. The keeper-batter has guided the franchise to five titles in the league. The management would be hoping that he turns the things and takes them to the 6th win.

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