Ruturaj Gaikwad was unveiled as the new captain of Chennai Super Kings a day before the opening game of IPL 2024, where defending champions CSK take on the visiting Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Chepauk. This brings to an end MS Dhoni’s long stint as captain of CSK. The size of the shoes Ruturaj Gaikwad steps into can be gauged by Dhoni’s win-loss ratio of 1.461 in the IPL, a figure bettered only by Hardik Pandya (2.444) and Steven Smith (1.470) among captains who have led teams in 20 or more matches.
In all, Dhoni captained CSK in 235 of their 249 games in all competitions, leading them to two titles in the defunct Champions League T20 to go with the five IPL titles, in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023. Such was CSK’s consistency under Dhoni’s leadership, that the team finished outside the top four in just two seasons – 2020 and 2022 – while also reaching the final 10 times, including four consecutive years, from 2010 to 2013.
He also captained Rising Pune Supergiant for 14 games during CSK’s two-year ban from the IPL in 2016 and 2017. In all, he led teams in 226 IPL games, which puts him far ahead of Rohit Sharma (158) on the captaincy leaderboard.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s impressive record as captain in T20s and IPL
The 27-year-old Ruturaj Gaikwad has been tipped to take over from Dhoni ever since he finished the 2021 IPL season – his second in the competition – with a chart-topping 635 runs. The Maharashtra batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has since grown into one of CSK’s most consistent performers, and his run-scoring feats in the IPL have earned him a place on the immediate periphery of India’s first-choice white-ball squads. Ruturaj Gaikwad has played 6 ODIs and 19 T20Is so far.
With 1797 runs from 52 matches at an average of 39.06 and a strike rate of 135.52, Ruturaj Gaikwad is currently CSK’s seventh-highest run-getter. Among the first issues Ruturaj Gaikwad is expected to handle as captain is deciding who he will open alongside, with his regular partner Devon Conway ruled out until May with a thumb injury.
Ruturaj Gaikwad has himself only just recovered from a finger injury, and has only played one competitive game in 2024 – a Ranji Trophy match against Services, where he top-scored with 96 in Maharashtra’s first innings. Ruturaj Gaikwad has experience of captaincy in T20 cricket, most notably guiding India to the Gold Medal in last year’s Asian Games. Ruturaj Gaikwad has captained 16 times in all T20 cricket, winning 10 and losing 5 with 1 No Result.
MS Dhoni returned as a player for IPL 2024 stepping down as CSK captain ahead of the 2024 season and passed the baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, the 28-year-old hasn’t had a memorable beginning to his captaincy tenure as CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs in the previous season and have also lost four out of the first five matches in the ongoing season. Ruturaj Gaikwad has led Chennai in 19 matches so far and won eight, while 11 ended in a losing cause
Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of IPL 2025 due to hairline fracture
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s hopes of steering Chennai Super Kings out of turbulent waters were crushed by a stroke of misfortune on Thursday, as the CSK skipper was ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2025 due to a hairline fracture in his elbow, sustained during their match against Rajasthan Royals. As the CSK grappled with a four-match losing streak, the injury came as a major blow, given that Gaikwad remained one of CSK’s primary batters in a lineup that has been struggling to chase targets this year.
Head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed Gaikwad’s unavailability in the pre-match press conference ahead of their clash with Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. With Gaikwad sidelined, all eyes now turn to MS Dhoni, who will reassume captaincy duties for the first time since leading CSK to a memorable IPL 2023 title
Ruturaj Gaikwad silences all the critics post getting ruled out of IPL 2025
Chennai Super Kings star Ruturaj Gaikwad has stated that he will be with the team despite being injured. CSK coach Stephen Fleming informed fans on April 10 that Gaikwad will no longer be a part of CSK’s playing squad in IPL 2025 due to an elbow injury.
Gaikwad led CSK in five matches in IPL 2025, where the team registered one win and four defeats.
Fleming announced that MS Dhoni will return as CSK’s captain for the remainder of the season due to Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury. Reacting to the development, Gaikwad said in a video shared by CSK on X:
“I am going to be there with the team, really support them. Definitely, I would have loved to take the team out of this situation. Some things are just not controllable and as I said, definitely looking forward to support the team from the dugout and hopefully, we’ll have a great season ahead.”
Gaikwad suffered the elbow injury during the match against the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on March 30. He played in the games against Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals while dealing with the injury.
MS Dhoni handed over CSK’s captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of IPL 2024. However, Gaikwad’s injury has forced him to hand the baton back to Dhoni. Labeling Dhoni as a “young wicketkeeper,” Gaikwad continued in the same video:
“Really gutted to be missing the future part of the IPL due to an unfortunate elbow injury but thank you for your support until now. Yes, we have been struggling for a while, but now that a young wicketkeeper leading the team, hopefully things will change.”
CSK will play their next match against the Kolkata Knight Riders on April 11. MA Chidambaram Stadium will host the contest between CSK and KKR.
Also Read: CSK vs KKR: MS Dhoni’s Return As Captain Sparks Rivalry & Spices KKR Clash