IPL 2025: Believe It Or Not, Thala Dhoni back as CSK skipper

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MS Dhoni and predictions on his IPL career, never do it. On Thursday, the Chenai Super Kings management fell back on the iconic captain to lead in the remainder of the IPL 2025 season as regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is injured, His elbow is fractured, according to coach Stephen Fleming.

For those who have been saying Dhoni is past prime and should play as an Impact Player and just keep wickets or retire, the elevation as captain has sent CSK fans into a tizzy. These fans do not care whether Dhoni scores at a brisk pace like before or not. They are happy to see him like a presiding deity and worship him.

Indeed, Dhoni has been given the same title (Thala) as superstar Rajnikanth, who landed in Coimbatore on Thursday for a film shoot. Dhoni has that same aura and image. He will be the eternal hero. So, all talk of Dhoni retiring can be trashed. When his parents and wife and daughter showed up at the Chepauk last week, there was intense speculation if it was his last match.

Who would have thought fate would pitchfork Dhoni back as IPL captain of CSK, a side which has won five titles. This is like one love story where the pages seem unending. What is defining, the faith CSK have in Dhoni, who is 43. His reflexes as a keeper and speed are still electrifying. He may not be able to score big like before, but Dhoni is fine with moving up the order.

Going by what coach Stephen Fleming said, Dhoni has offered to lead, without any reluctance. That has been his approach, accept the challenge headlong. As skipper of CSK, Dhoni led in 235 matches and ensured the Chennai-based franchise won five title. Does the CSK stock go up or will people laugh at Dhoni returning as captain, time will tell. This kind of faith in a past master is unheard and unseen. Nobody, not even Sachin Tendulkar did something like this.

Does CSK stand to gain from this move is not the worry for the team management. Being a shareholder himself, Dhoni has returned as leader. He will take up the challenge with the same intent. So, what, if he can't score big runs, he can psyche out many players. As a wicket-keeper, he is still as fast as youngsters who don gloves for the other teams. For romantic relics, Dhoni's return is a time to celebrate in Chennai, Tamil Nadu and elsewhere. From a dip in their fandom, now a surge is expected!