MS Dhoni back as CSK captain? Ruturaj Gaikwad injury could see IPL’s great skipper return in Chennai

Ruturaj Gaikwad was hit by ex-CSK pacer Tushar Deshpande on his hand while batting in the RR vs CSK game.

MS Dhoni may be called upon to lead Chennai Super Kings (CSK) once again, as the team awaits an update on skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury status. Gaikwad suffered a blow to his right elbow during CSK’s loss against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Guwahati and has been unable to train since.

CSK next face an in-form Delhi Capitals (DC) next at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday, April 5. If Gaikwad gets fit in time and is able to bat, the 28-year-old will continue to bat. Else, we would see the legendary icon MS Dhoni come out at the toss for the 236th time!

Gaikwad’s injury to open door for Dhoni, the captain?

“Yeah, we’re hoping he [Gaikwad] is going to try and have a bat today for training,” Michael Hussey, CSK’s batting coach, said at his press conference on the eve of the match. “And, yeah, it [elbow] is still a little bit sore, but it’s improving every day. So, we’re very hopeful that he’ll be fine for tomorrow.

“I’m not sure, actually. I don’t think we’ve actually thought about that [captaincy] too much. Well, I haven’t thought about it too much. I’m sure Stephen Fleming (CSK head coach) and Rutu have thought about that. But we’ve got some young guy coming through. He’s behind the stumps. Maybe he can do a good job. I’m not sure. He’s got a bit of experience in the role, so maybe he could do it. But I’m not exactly sure, to be honest.”