Just when Chennai Super Kings thought they had settled into the season, boom—curveball. Ruturaj Gaikwad, the appointed 2025 CSK new captain, has been ruled out of the rest of the IPL 2025 due to an elbow fracture. Ouch, in more ways than one. Not only do CSK lose a top-order batter, but they also need a new replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad to lead the side.

🚨 News 🚨

🗣 #CSK Head Coach Stephen Fleming announces MS Dhoni’s return to captaincy as Ruturaj Gaikwad is ruled out of #TATAIPL 2025 due to an injury. pic.twitter.com/Far8uAleam

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 10, 2025

And who better to step in than the face of CSK himself, MS Dhoni? Yes, the man, the myth, the legend is back as captain. But here’s a fun twist: thanks to the BCCI’s five-year international rule, he’s now classified as an uncapped captain in IPL. Sounds bizarre, but hey, rules are rules. And Dhoni, uncapped or not, is still Thala.

CSK Captain Replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad

Let’s get one thing straight: calling MS Dhoni an uncapped captain in IPL feels more like a punchline than reality. This is the man who’s captained CSK in 235 matches out of their 268. He’s been at the helm for five IPL titles—2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023—and has led the team to the finals ten times. That’s not a typo. Ten.

🚨 OFFICIAL STATEMENT 🚨

Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of the season due to a hairline fracture of the elbow.

MS DHONI TO LEAD. 🦁

GET WELL SOON, RUTU ! ✨ 💛#WhistlePodu #Yellove🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/U0NsVhKlny

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 10, 2025

Dhoni：The Uncapped Legend

It’s a storyline that feels almost scripted. The team’s struggling with form, sitting low on the table, and suddenly the OG 2025 CSK captain is back to try and steady the ship. Whether it’s tactical field placements, calm under pressure, or those late-innings finishes, Dhoni brings a vibe no one else can. And let’s be honest, fans were already half-hoping this would happen someday this season. Now it’s official.

Of course, this change isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about trying to fix what’s not working. CSK has lost four out of five games. They need spark. Leadership. Experience. And in a twist no one saw coming, they now have an uncapped captain in IPL who just so happens to be the greatest captain the league has ever seen.

The Ruturaj Gap – Big Boots to Fill

Now comes the next big question: who steps in as the replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad in the batting lineup? Gaikwad’s been their top run-getter in multiple seasons, and his absence will definitely leave a hole. Fleming hinted they’ll look internally first before exploring other options. But no doubt, whoever gets that nod has big shoes to fill.

Speedy recovery, Rutu 💛💗 pic.twitter.com/YND2DQGnxS

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 10, 2025

What they have gained, however, is stability at the top. With Dhoni returning as 2025 CSK new captain, there’s a renewed sense of purpose. He’s not just a leader by title—he’s a tactical genius. His calmness under pressure, his reading of the game, and that ability to extract magic from his players when it matters most? Still unmatched.

As for the fans? They’re loving it. Seeing Dhoni walk out for the toss again, gloves on, calm as ever—it brings back that signature CSK energy. The replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad may not be one person but a combination of trust in the bench and belief in the leader. And what better leader than the original CSK skipper, back once more to rescue the campaign?

Trust in Thala… Again

CSK fans might be feeling anxious about the season, but there’s a silver lining—a very experienced silver lining. Dhoni knows how to turn things around. He’s done it more than once. His return as the 2025 CSK new captain is as much about reviving the team’s performance as it is about reinforcing the team’s identity.

𝗜𝗖𝗬𝗠𝗜

MS Dhoni back to leadership duties ‼

Wishing Ruturaj Gaikwad a speedy recovery 💛#TATAIPL | @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/oAwFS9i0uu

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 10, 2025

Whether or not he remains uncapped by international standards, there’s no doubt he’s the captain CSK needs right now. And while the replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad on the field might take some figuring out, CSK has already made the smartest call off the field by handing the armband back to Thala. So yes, technically he’s an uncapped captain in IPL, but if you’re betting on anyone to take CSK back to the top, would you really choose anyone else?