Ruturaj Gaikwad to Lead Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026, Confirms MS Dhoni

In a recent announcement, MS Dhoni confirmed that Ruturaj Gaikwad will take the helm as captain of Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2026. After a tough season where CSK finished last, the franchise is looking to provide Gaikwad with a solid team to lead. Despite the challenges faced, CSK ended their campaign on a high note with a significant victory over Gujarat Titans. This article delves into Dhoni's insights on the team's future and Gaikwad's pivotal role moving forward.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 26, 2025, 09:22 IST

Gaikwad's Return as Captain

MS Dhoni has announced that Ruturaj Gaikwad will resume his role as captain for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026. The franchise aims to provide him with a stable team for the upcoming season.

Gaikwad, who captained CSK during the initial phase of IPL 2025, had to withdraw from the tournament due to an elbow injury. Dhoni took over the captaincy once again and shared this update following CSK's last match of the season.

Dhoni's Insights on Team Strategy

"While there are a few gaps we need to address, our priority is to ensure that when Ruturaj returns next season, he has a team where he can seamlessly integrate into the playing XI without additional concerns," Dhoni stated during the post-match presentation.

Despite Dhoni's leadership, CSK faced a challenging season, finishing last in the standings for the first time in IPL history, with only 4 victories out of 14 matches.

Looking Ahead for CSK

The franchise is now focusing on a transition, and Dhoni's comments indicate that Ruturaj will play a pivotal role in their future plans.

CSK Ends Season with a Victory

Chennai Super Kings concluded their disappointing campaign on a positive note, achieving an impressive 83-run victory against Gujarat Titans at Narendra Modi Stadium. Dewald Brevis was a standout performer, scoring 57 runs off just 23 balls, leading CSK to their highest total of the season at 230/5.

Other notable contributions came from Devon Conway (52 off 35), Urvil Patel (37 off 19), and Ayush Mhatre (34 off 17). In response, Gujarat Titans were bowled out for 147 runs in 18.3 overs, with Anshul Kamboj (3/13) and Noor Ahmad (3/21) excelling with the ball, while Ravindra Jadeja took two key wickets.

This victory allowed CSK to finish IPL 2025 on a high note, despite their overall last-place finish with a record of 4-10.