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STUMP VISION APRIL 18, 2025 | The Indian Eye 43

IPL 2025

M S Dhoni is back in the thick of things for

CSK as Ruturaj bows out because of injury

The injury is a significant setback for the five-time champions,

who have lost four out of their initial five matches this season and will now be

missing their captain and crucial batsman

OUR BUREAU his credit.
Dhoni has produced sever-
Chennai al stunning stumpings and catches
M S Dhoni is set to lead the throughout the IPL. His quick work
behind the stumps during tight mo-
Chennai
Kings
Super
(CSK) in the Indian Pre-
he has 45 stumpings to his name.
mier League (IPL) 2025 season fol- ments has been key to CSK’s success,
lowing Ruturaj Gaikwad’s exclusion Against PBKS, Dhoni walked to
due to an injury. Stephen Fleming, the crease at No. 5 with 25 balls re-
CSK Coach, said, “Due to injury, Rit- maining in the chase and 69 runs still
uraj Gaikwad is out of the IPL tour- required. Dhoni once again faced the
nament, and Dhoni will take over as challenge of rescuing a nearly impossi-
captain for the rest of the game,” Ste- ble scenario. The 43-year-old seemed
phen Fleming said in the pre-match to rewind time with an explosive 27
press conference. off merely 12 balls, hitting three six-
Chennai Super Kings have en- es and a four. He got out on the first
countered a significant setback before ball of the 20th over, hitting down
their upcoming match in the IPL 2025. the leg full toss straight to Chahal.
Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was side- Former Indian cricketer Robin
lined from the league due to an elbow Uthappa shared his insights on MS
injury. During his absence, the leg- Dhoni’s innings against Punjab Kings
endary wicketkeeper-batter will again (PBKS), suggesting that he is still ac-
assume the team leader role. This tively involved in CSK’s plans, even
highlights his comeback as captain though he may not be playing as much.
for the first time since he led the team While speaking on Jio Hotstar,
to victory in the final of the IPL 2023 Uthappa said that Dhoni is passing
against the Gujarat Titans at the Nar- on the responsibility to younger play-
endra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. ers, preparing them for the future and
Fleming announced that Dho- ensuring CSK remains a competitive
ni, an uncapped player, will be the team. While Uthappa acknowledged
team’s new captain for the rest of the Chennai Super Kings’ MS Dhoni plays a shot during the match against Punjab Kings in the that Dhoni’s batting skills are still
IPL season. Dhoni readily agreed to Indian Premier League 2025 (ANI) valuable, he believed that the team
take on the leadership role and help focuses on building a strong founda-
guide the team. tion for future success.
“We have an uncapped play- He is also the sixth-highest batsman in the top order. “I don’t think there was ever a
er, MS Dhoni, who will take over as run-getter in the tournament’s histo- Recently, Dhoni added another lack of intent from MS Dhoni. Even
captain for the remainder of the IPL. ry, with 5,346 runs at an average of achievement to his name in the IPL outside the TATA IPL, I believe he
Dhoni had no hesitation to step up 39.31 and a strike rate of over 137, match between Punjab Kings and has passed on responsibility to others
and help guide us out of this if we with 24 fifties and a best score of 84. Chennai Super Kings in Mullanpur. and given them a clear understanding
can,” Stephen Fleming said, as quot- In IPL 2025, Dhoni has made 103 Dhoni became the first wicket-keep- of what to expect in the coming years
ed by ESPNcricinfo. runs in five innings at an average of er to accomplish 150 catches in the as CSK rebuilds into a champion-
Dhoni possesses an impressive 51.50 and a strike rate of over 153.73; IPL. He achieved this milestone after ship-contending side. That transition
record as an IPL captain. He has his best score is 30. catching Nehal Wadhera during the is happening, and while we would love
guided CSK and Rising Pune Super- CSK is placed in the ninth posi- Punjab Kings’ innings. to see MS bat the way he is right now,
giant (RPS) to 133 victories out of tion. This injury is a significant set- In the 8th over of the PBKS in- perhaps a little higher up the order,
226 games, achieving a win percent- back for the five-time champions, nings, Wadhera mishit a shot off R I don’t think the problem lies at the
age of 58. 84, and he has steered CSK who have lost four out of their initial Ashwin, and Dhoni made a straight- end.” Jio Star expert Robin Uthappa
to five IPL championships in 2010, five matches this season and will now forward catch. Dinesh Karthik ranks said while speaking on Match Centre
2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023. be missing their captain and crucial second on the list with 137 catches to Live on JioHotstar.

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