Ex-Batter Criticizes CSK Over Dhoni’s Situation and Gaikwad’s Captaincy
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Ex-Batter Criticizes CSK Over Dhoni’s Situation and Gaikwad’s Captaincy
As the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) prepare for their final game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season, a former player has spoken out against the team’s handling of MS Dhoni‘s injury and the appointment of Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain.
The Men in Yellow face off against the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, and need a massive win to go fourth in the points table. Even a win will not guarantee the former IPL winners a chance to make it to the playoffs.
Dhoni’s Injury Saga
Former India and CSK batter Subramaniam Badrinath had a go at his former side on MS Dhoni’s injury saga. Dhoni didn’t play this season due to injuries and isn’t traveling with the squad to Ahmedabad. The 44-year-old was seen in Chennai posing for the team photo during the half-time break in the CSK vs SRH clash.
NDTV quoted Badrinath as saying, “There were constant questions about MS Dhoni’s playing status. The entire situation wasn’t handled well by the team, and nobody knows the real reason behind this. One has to wonder if this was done to create interest for the match or was it due to a business decision.”
Questioning Gaikwad’s Captaincy
The Ex-India batter also questioned the appointment of Ruturaj Gaikwad as the team skipper. NDTV quoted Badrinath as saying, “It is not known if MS wanted Gaikwad as the next skipper. Dhoni could have only given a few suggestions, but at the end of the day, it is the management’s decision. So, it is up to the team management to take responsibility.”
Subramaniam Badrinath claims MSD would have preferred a different captain. Tamil Nadu’s former batting star then dropped a huge claim that his former IPL-winning skipper would have preferred Ravindra Jadeja as the captain instead of Ruturaj.
Past Captaincy Decisions
In 2022, the decision to appoint Jadeja didn’t go down well as the team had a bad start to the season. The role of leading the side was handed back to the iconic number 7, who repaid the faith by winning the team their fifth title in 2023. Ahead of the 2026 season, Jadeja was traded to the Rajasthan Royals for Sanju Samson.
A few days ago, Manoj Tiwary had also voiced concerns over Chennai’s captaincy. The 40-year-old, who wasn’t convinced with the abilities of the current Super Kings skipper, asked the side to give Samson the captaincy for the 2027 season.
The situation has sparked a debate about the team’s leadership and the future of the franchise. As the CSK looks to rebuild and come back stronger, they will have to address these concerns and make some tough decisions.
