MS Dhoni is stepping back in as captain of the Chennai Super Kings for the first time since their championship win in IPL 2023, following the news that regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad will miss the rest of IPL 2025 due to injury. Ahead of their game against the Kolkata Knight Riders, CSK's head coach Stephen Fleming announced that Gaikwad has a fracture in his left elbow and will not participate in the 18th season any longer.

“Ruturaj Gaikwad is out for the IPL because of an elbow fracture. We have an uncapped player, MS Dhoni, who will take over as captain for the remaining matches,” Fleming shared with reporters in Chennai on Thursday.

“We’re really disappointed for him. We recognize the effort he put in trying to play, but sadly, he won’t be able to continue in the tournament,” Fleming added.

CSK released an official statement shortly after, announcing, “Ruturaj Gaikwad is out for the season because of a hairline fracture in his elbow.”

Gaikwad took a hit to his unprotected elbow during a clash in the 18th edition of the lucrative league against the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on March 30. This happened when the 28-year-old stepped out to face right-arm seamer Tushar Deshpande in the second over while chasing a target of 183 runs.

Concerns about Gaikwad's fitness arose since he played in CSK's next two matches against Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings without showing any signs of discomfort while batting or fielding, despite rumors that Dhoni might replace him as captain due to the elbow injury.

In the five matches this season, Gaikwad has scored two half-centuries while batting at the No. 3 position.

MS Dhoni returns as the captain of CSK, and this isn't his first time doing so

Dhoni stepping back in as CSK captain mid-season isn’t a new occurrence. It brings to mind the situation from IPL 2022 when Ravindra Jadeja was stripped of the captaincy after CSK had a dismal start, losing nearly all their matches in the early part of the tournament.

This season, the five-time champions find themselves struggling at No. 9 in the points table, having suffered four consecutive losses.

Under Dhoni's leadership, CSK has clinched five IPL titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023, along with two Champions League trophies.

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