IPL 2025: Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out with elbow injury, MS Dhoni to lead CSK

Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of IPL 2025 with an elbow injury. MS Dhoni is set to replace him as the captain for the remainder of the season. Head Coach Stephen Fleming confirmed the development on Thursday (April 10) on the eve of the team's home game against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Gaikwad's exit could not have come at a more inopportune time for the five-time winners, as the team is teetering at the ninth spot in the table with a solitary win to show after five games. Gaikwad picked up the injury against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on March 30, when he copped a blow on his elbow as a rising Tushar Deshpande delivery struck him. He continued to bat and scored 63 in his team's narrow six-run loss.

He was a doubtful starter in the next game against Delhi Capitals at home, however, Gaikwad turned up and scored five in his team's 25-run loss. He was also part of the next fixture, against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur, which CSK lost by 18 runs to extend their misery.

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

Once Gaikwad's recent scans confirmed a fracture, CSK had to fall back to Dhoni, their inspirational leader who has led them to five titles - 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023 - in the IPL as well as two Champions League crowns. Overall, he has led the team in 235 of their 268 matches.

"He understands that the team is in need at the moment. There's Rutu who didn't want to go. So, he had no hesitation to step up and help guide us out of this if he can. So, that was never a doubt," Fleming said of Dhoni.

When queried about Gaikwad's potential replacement, Fleming said: "Replacements, we'll look at. We've got some good players in the squad that have been with us a while, so, we'll look from within first. But, yeah, there is an opportunity to see how we can enhance the squad probably moving forward into subsequent years."

CSK will play two away games after their home clash against KKR: Lucknow Super Giants on April 14 and Mumbai Indians on April 20.