Chennai Super Kings fans had one eye on the injury list and the other on the toss. As rumors snowballed over the last 24 hours, speculation surged that MS Dhoni might once again walk out as captain at Chepauk. But reality hit hard and fast — Ruturaj Gaikwad, despite nursing a hand injury, turned up at the toss, ending the Dhoni dream before it could start.
A Day of Whispers and What-Ifs in Chennai
The buzz wasn’t unfounded. When CSK’s batting coach Michael Hussey hinted at Gaikwad’s availability being uncertain, fans leapt into hope-mode.
“He’s still a little bit sore,” Hussey said on the eve of the match. “But it’s improving every day. We’re very hopeful, very confident that he’ll be fine.”
That was all it took. A crackling rumor mill and the mere possibility of Dhoni leading CSK again was enough to send pulses racing. Chennai, the city where Dhoni is not just loved but worshipped, dared to believe.
Yet at the toss, with the crowd roaring in anticipation, it was Gaikwad who walked out with a smile. The dream was paused.
Dhoni the Captain: A Record That Speaks Louder Than Hope
There’s good reason why fans were hoping for a Dhoni encore. His legacy as a leader is carved deep into the IPL’s fabric.
-
5 IPL titles with CSK
-
2 Champions League T20 crowns
-
Over 220 matches as captain
-
A staggering 58.84% win rate
-
The oldest player to captain an IPL side (aged 41 in 2023)
When he last captained CSK in the 2023 IPL final, Dhoni delivered what felt like a fairytale ending. CSK beat defending champions Gujarat Titans in a rain-hit, two-day finale at Ahmedabad’s colossal Narendra Modi Stadium. It was peak Dhoni — cool, calculating, and clutch under pressure.
Gaikwad: The Now, Even If Not the Forever
Let’s be honest, stepping into Dhoni’s shoes isn’t just tough — it’s borderline unfair. But Gaikwad has done it with quiet confidence.
Despite the injury scare against Rajasthan Royals — where he was struck on the hand by Tushar Deshpande — the CSK skipper didn’t back down. Instead, he showed up for training, tested himself, and gave the green light for matchday.
So, while fans were wishing for Dhoni at the helm again, Gaikwad reminded everyone that this isn’t a team looking for miracles. It’s a team looking to grow.
And it still has Dhoni — just in a different role.
A Rocky Start, But Hope is a Chennai Staple
CSK haven’t had the smoothest run in IPL 2025 so far. They’re eighth on the points table, with just two points from three matches.
Their season opener offered promise — a four-wicket win over old foes Mumbai Indians. But losses to Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals quickly exposed gaps.
There’s still a long way to go. And while the team looks to recover, the Dhoni factor — even from behind the scenes — continues to play a massive role.
The Fan Equation: Heart First, Then Scoreboard
Let’s not kid ourselves — this city doesn’t love Dhoni because of numbers. Sure, stats matter. But here, it’s about emotions. About loyalty. About a man who turned a franchise into a family.
And so, even a flicker of a chance that he might captain again — even just once — is enough to spark headlines and goosebumps.
It’s not just about tactics. It’s about what he means. And in that sense, he never really stopped captaining Chennai — not emotionally, at least.
