MS Dhoni has returned to captain Chennai Super Kings, taking over the role after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out with a fractured elbow.
The successful India captain, retained as an uncapped player ahead of the 2025 IPL, will lead the five-time champions after regular captain Gaikwad was ruled out of the season. Gaikwad injured himself during the clash against the Rajasthan Royals last month.
Dhoni, the iconic captain, is back to lead the franchise after a two-year hiatus. His overall leadership experience in the league spans 226 matches with 133 wins and 91 losses, captaining both CSK and Rising Pune Supergiant.
Dhoni will mark his captaincy return on CSK's home game against Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday (April 10).
Appointed the captain of the side in the first season, Dhoni led CSK to the first title in 2010, before repeating the feat the next year. They next won in 2018 and then again in 2021 before their latest win in 2023.
Dhoni, who had earlier handed the reins to Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the 2022 season, returned to lead the side midway after the all-rounder was ruled out of the edition with a rib injury. Under Jadeja, CSK had won just two of eight games.
The wicketkeeper continued to lead the team in 2023, before Gaikwad took over in 2024. Last year, CSK finished fifth with 14 points, while this year, they have won just one of five matches.
The news was confirmed by head coach Stephen Fleming, who said: "We have uncapped player MS Dhoni taking over as captain for the remainder of the tournament."
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