MS Dhoni's captaincy labelled ineffective for CSK anymore in IPL 2025; Exit ultimatum served

Former Indian batter-turned-commentator Robin Uthappa had made a bold statement after MS Dhoni was handed Chennai Super Kings’ captaincy for the rest of the ongoing IPL 2025. MS Dhoni will now lead CSK in the remainder of the season after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out with an elbow injury.

On Thursday, April 10, Chennai Super Kings confirmed Dhoni’s return as captain following a scan that ruled their regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad out of the ongoing IPL 2025 due to an elbow injury. Well, the five-time champions are in deep trouble in IPL 2025, having lost four of their five matches in a row.

Robin Uthappa raises concerns as CSK turns to MS Dhoni amid IPL 2025 crisis

Reacting to Chennai Super Kings’ decision, the former franchise batter Uthappa boldly claimed that even the return of Dhoni as captain might not be enough to fix things right away. He also felt Gaikwad’s absence is a massive void in CSK’s batting lineup and that won’t be easy to fill.

Uthappa believes that CSK will struggle to replace someone as solid as Ruturaj, who was their most reliable batter this season. With four back-to-back losses, the five-time IPL champions are desperately looking for success under Dhoni when they face KKR at Chepauk on April 11.

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MS Dhoni cannot fix the mess instantly as CSK captain: Robin Uthappa

However, Uthappa questioned how Dhoni will fix the current mess, as he feels expecting the legendary cricketer to turn things around so quickly would be totally unfair. The cricket pundit feels there are a lot of issues at CSK that need to be addressed, and Dhoni’s captaincy alone may not be enough to reverse their fortune instantly in the ongoing IPL 2025.

Robin Uthappa said on Star Sports, “I don’t think him being captain is going to automatically turn the tide for CSK. There are a lot of gaps on that side, right? Well, how do you fix that? How do you cover for a solid batter like Rutu, who seems like the only one finding some form? We have Devon Conway, who showed some form in the previous game against Punjab — he scored 69* before getting retired out. Rachin has been a little patchy since the IPL began.”

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Virender Sehwag picks KKR as favourites but backs MS Dhoni’s magic at Chepauk

Meanwhile, the former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag said that KKR are strong favorites to win the 25th game of the ongoing IPL 2025 against CSK at the Chepauk Stadium. However, Sehwag also feels CSK has a chance to beat KKR, especially with MS Dhoni leading the team at home.

Virender Sehwag said on Star Sports, “CSK is not playing the kind of cricket KKR are playing. So, I feel the scales will be tilted towards KKR because they have good spinners, and their batters will play spin better. Chennai’s batting hasn’t fired thus far. If the batting fires, something can happen, or else KKR.”

He added, “A torch has been lit as hope. The crowd that was leaving this stadium when 24 or 25 runs per over were required will all return because the confidence has come due to Dhoni’s return. The impossible word is in the foolish people’s dictionary. It’s possible if MS Dhoni is there.”

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