CSK Captaincy Controversy IPL 2025: Rumours of Rift Between Ruturaj Gaikwad and MS Dhoni? Here's What We Know

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Chennai, Apr 15: The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), one of Indian Premier League's most decorated franchises, are navigating a storm - both on and off the field in the ongoing IPL 2025 season.

Their worst-ever start to a season has now been compounded by rumours of internal discord between new skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and CSK legend MS Dhoni, with fans and analysts alike questioning whether a silent power struggle is unfolding behind the scenes.

The five-time champions currently sit at the bottom of the table with five straight losses, and the latest development - Gaikwad being ruled out of the tournament due to a hairline elbow fracture - has only added to the growing speculation. While official statements from head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed the injury, social media told a different story.

Soon after news of his exit was made public, fans noticed that Ruturaj had unfollowed Dhoni on Instagram, fuelling theories of a rift between the old and new guard. The intrigue deepened when training footage emerged, showing Gaikwad participating in a casual football drill - a move that raised questions about the severity of his injury and the transparency around his withdrawal.

A Leadership Change and a Slide in Form

Dhoni has returned to lead CSK in Gaikwad's absence, but his homecoming has brought little relief. The side was bowled out for 103 against KKR - its lowest IPL total ever - and suffered their third consecutive home defeat, an unprecedented collapse at the once-fortress Chepauk.

KKR's win was orchestrated by ex-CSK players Ajinkya Rahane and Moeen Ali, with Tamil Nadu's own Varun Chakravarthy wreaking havoc with the ball. The result, while shocking, was overshadowed by the off-field drama surrounding Gaikwad's exit.

In a heartfelt video message posted on CSK's social media, Gaikwad expressed disappointment over his injury: "I am really gutted to miss the rest of the IPL due to an unfortunate elbow injury. I want to thank everyone for your support so far, it truly means a lot."

Yet, fans and insiders remain unconvinced. Some sources hint at growing tension over team strategy and player selections, suggesting that Gaikwad and Dhoni may not have been entirely aligned on key decisions this season. The franchise has remained tight-lipped, refusing to comment on the matter publicly.

Conservative Strategy Under Fire

On the field, CSK's woes are as much about execution as they are about intent. The top order - featuring Devon Conway, Deepak Hooda, and Rahul Tripathi - has faltered badly. Former India opener Kris Srikkanth blasted the team's lack of aggression in the powerplay, calling their approach "a Test match rehearsal." He urged the team to look at unsold players like Prithvi Shaw to reinvigorate their batting.

Former CSK batter Matthew Hayden also didn't mince words. Referring to Dhoni's post-match justification about a conservative approach in the first six overs, Hayden remarked: "I disagree. You know, when you're giving away 30 runs, they've got good enough players. Being conservative, they're cutting their sharp men like Shivam Dube and even Dhoni himself, who's having to play catch-up at the death."

Dhoni had said after the KKR loss: "It is important not to get desperate seeing the scoreboard. A few boundaries and the score keeps moving. If we target 60 in the powerplay, it gets tough."

But that explanation hasn't sat well with many, especially when the team continues to post underwhelming totals that leave little room for recovery.

A Fractured Campaign - Literally and Figuratively

Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury exit and the Instagram drama have brought unwanted attention to a team already crumbling under pressure. While the rumours of a rift remain unconfirmed, the optics have certainly not helped CSK's morale.

It's also worth noting that Dhoni, who has been CSK's pillar since the IPL's inception in 2008, continues to mentor the side from behind the scenes. Many believe that any decision to rest players or alter roles could be part of a long-term strategy aimed at building a new core around Gaikwad.

As of now, neither Ruturaj Gaikwad nor MS Dhoni has publicly addressed the rumours. The CSK management has also refrained from making any official statements regarding the issue.

Whether this is a case of internal politics or just media speculation remains to be seen. But one thing is certain - the CSK faithful will be watching closely as the season unfolds, hoping for clarity and unity in one of the IPL's most beloved franchises.