WATCH: Ambati Rayudu reacts as MS Dhoni return as captain of Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025

In a major development ahead of IPL 2025, MS Dhoni is set to return as captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The leadership change came after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out of the tournament due to an elbow fracture. The announcement has sparked widespread excitement among CSK fans, who are eagerly looking forward to seeing Dhoni lead the team once again.

Former CSK batter Ambati Rayudu, who is now a commentator, expressed his excitement over MS Dhoni’s return as captain. Rayudu, who represented CSK from 2018 to 2023 and won three titles under Dhoni’s leadership, mentioned that fans would be delighted to see Dhoni back at the helm. The former India middle-order batter also added that Dhoni always had the magic to inspire a CSK comeback and believed it would be a great story if he managed to guide the team into the playoffs. 

"Dhoni always has the magic to make CSK comeback. It will be a good story if he can lead the team into the playoffs," the former CSK batter told in the viral video.

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Rayudu Backs Dhoni to Work His Magic

Ruturaj sustained the injury in a game against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Guwahati. Although he played on while in pain for the subsequent matches, an MRI later confirmed an elbow fracture. CSK head coach Stephen Fleming clarified that the initial X-ray was not certain, but the MRI showed the extent of the injury. Fleming praised Gaikwad’s effort to continue playing despite the pain but confirmed that the team had no choice but to sideline him for the rest of the season. “We’re disappointed and feel for him. He tried hard, but now we’ve appointed MS Dhoni as captain for the rest of the tournament,” Fleming said.

CSK hasn't yet started well with IPL 2025, standing with a mere single win against five games played and being currently ranked at 9th place on the points table. Yet, under the captaincy of Dhoni, the expectations remain for a resurgency. Fascinatingly enough, retained as an uncapped player in ₹4 crores, Dhoni emerges the very first uncapped captain IPL history has witnessed. CSK is next facing Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday, April 11