Follow UsChennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad could miss the game against Delhi Capitals (DC) at Chepauk on April 5 (Saturday). If that happens, five-time IPL winner MS Dhoni could captain CSK in Match 17 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
In CSK’s previous match against Rajasthan Royals (RR), Gaikwad was hit on his elbow by a delivery from Tushar Deshpande, and the batter hasn’t trained since then.
"Yeah, we're hoping he (Gaikwad) is going to try and have a bat today for training. And, yeah, it (elbow) is still a little bit sore, but it's improving every day. So, we're very hopeful that he'll be fine for tomorrow,” said CSK batting coach Michael Hussey.
"I don't think we've actually thought about that (captaincy) too much. Well, I haven't thought about it too much. I'm sure Stephen Fleming (CSK head coach) and Rutu have thought about that.
“But we've got some young guy coming through. He's behind the stumps. Maybe he can do a good job. I'm not sure. He's got a bit of experience in the role, so maybe he could do it. But I'm not exactly sure, to be honest."
The last time MSD captained CSK was during the 2023 season, when the Yellow Army defeated Gujarat Titans in the final to lift their fifth trophy.
Chennai might not miss Gaikwad’s captaincy but will surely miss his batting. CSK have struggled in the batting department, with Gaikwad being one of the two batters to cross the 100-run mark for Chennai. CSK will have to drop Jamie Overton and get in Devon Conway if Gaikwad isn’t available.
Chennai started the IPL 2025 with a win against Mumbai Indians (MI) but have lost two games since then.