What Happened when MS Dhoni took over CSK Captaincy in the Middle of an IPL season Before?

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MS Dhoni has taken over the Chennai Super Kings captaincy as Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out for the IPL 2025 season.

Gaikwad suffered a fractured elbow and will now not take any part for the remainder, which has swung the captaincy hat to the veteran's head.

CSK have made a disastrous start to this season, losing four of their first five matches. Amid this, Dhoni's return as captain is a wave of optimism, but it still leaves a massive gap in their batting with his departure.

But interestingly, this is not the first time CSK have appointed Dhoni as captain in the middle of a season. The former India captain, who is playing as an uncapped player, had to hone the same role before as well.

What Happened?

In the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League, Chennai Super Kings made headlines not just for their on-field performances but for an unexpected leadership change that disrupted the rhythm of a traditionally settled franchise. MS Dhoni, who had handed over the captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja at the start of the season, was reinstated as CSK captain midway through the campaign following a string of underwhelming performances and increasing scrutiny over the team’s direction.

The Jadeja Experiment — And Why It Failed

Ravindra Jadeja’s appointment as captain was seen as a long-term succession plan. A proven match-winner with bat, ball, and in the field, Jadeja was expected to bring a fresh approach while benefitting from Dhoni’s presence in the squad. However, captaincy appeared to affect Jadeja’s game significantly. He looked uncertain on the field, was often reactive with his bowling changes, and struggled with his own form — both as a batter and a bowler.

By the time CSK played their eighth match of the season, they had won just two games and were languishing near the bottom of the table. Under Jadeja, the Super Kings looked flat and lacked the trademark tactical sharpness associated with Dhoni’s leadership. The situation became unsustainable, and Jadeja himself reportedly expressed a desire to relinquish the role and focus on his game.

How did MS Dhoni captaincy fare for Chennai Super Kings?

MS Dhoni officially returned as captain on April 30, 2022, ahead of CSK’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The result was immediate — CSK defeated SRH by 13 runs. There was renewed clarity in field placements, better management of bowling resources, and an evident uptick in energy across the side.

CSK’s Performance Before and After Dhoni’s Takeover in IPL 2022

Although the results under Dhoni didn’t dramatically change CSK’s fate - they still finished 9th on the points table with only 4 wins in 14 games - the team looked far more composed and competitive in the latter half.

MS Dhoni’s return to the captaincy in IPL 2022 did not salvage the season in terms of results. Now, after three more years, he will have to serve the same purpose again. He will have 9 games now to turn things around for CSK, but will he be able to? The next weeks will answer that.