MS Dhoni Opposed Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK Captain? Shocking Claims Emerge
The Captaincy Conundrum: Did MS Dhoni Actually Back Ruturaj Gaikwad?
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have long been regarded as one of the most structured and stable franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, the IPL 2026 season has brought unprecedented challenges both on and off the field. Currently languishing in the seventh spot of the points table with just six wins and only one game remaining, CSK’s hopes of making the playoffs hang by a very thin thread. Amidst this struggling campaign, a massive controversy has erupted. Former CSK batter and MS Dhoni’s former teammate, Subramaniam Badrinath, has made shocking claims questioning the franchise’s leadership transition and overall management decisions.
Badrinath has openly questioned the narrative surrounding Ruturaj Gaikwad’s appointment as the captain of Chennai Super Kings. When Dhoni stepped down from the captaincy, Gaikwad was named his successor, a move widely believed to have been orchestrated by Dhoni himself as part of his transition legacy. However, Badrinath strongly disagrees with this narrative. According to the former batsman, the decision-making process within CSK might not be as simple as fans are led to believe.
Badrinath asserted that the final call to appoint Gaikwad must have come from the CSK management rather than Dhoni. He argued that while Dhoni could have offered suggestions, he would not have had the final say. More shockingly, Badrinath claimed that if Dhoni indeed had any input in the decision, he would have endorsed Ravindra Jadeja for the captaincy instead of Gaikwad.
“Nobody knows whether it’s true that MS Dhoni wanted Ruturaj Gaikwad to become the captain. This decision cannot come from Dhoni in any way. It had to be the management’s decision. Dhoni could have only given a suggestion,” Badrinath stated. “So the management must only take responsibility for this. Knowing Dhoni, if at all he had any say in this, he would have suggested Ravindra Jadeja only as the next captain.”
The Unresolved Mystery of MS Dhoni’s Absence in IPL 2026
Adding to the team’s struggles in IPL 2026 is the complete absence of MS Dhoni from the playing XI. Throughout the season, fans have been left wondering why the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman has not taken the field. Dhoni was spotted at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium supporting the team, but he did not feature in the match, leaving fans in the dark regarding his status.
Earlier in the season, Dhoni was ruled out due to a calf injury. Later on, a thumb injury midway through the tournament further sidelined him. However, despite being physically available at venues, he has remained out of the playing XI. Badrinath criticized how the franchise handled Dhoni’s injury updates and overall status, raising tough questions about whether the mystery is being maintained for marketing purposes.
“There have consistently been questions over whether he’ll play or not before every game. The whole Dhoni situation hasn’t been handled well. Nobody knows the reason. Is it just to create interest in the match, or is it a business decision? Is this also part of the process?” Badrinath questioned, reflecting the growing frustration of the CSK fanbase.
Recruitment and Auction Failures Under Fire
Badrinath did not stop at the captaincy and Dhoni situations; he also expressed utter disgust and frustration with CSK’s performance in recent player auctions. He heavily criticized the franchise’s strategies across both mega-auctions and mini-auctions over the past few seasons, labeling their signings as disappointing.
According to Badrinath, CSK’s few successful player acquisitions in recent times have been products of sheer luck rather than a structured scouting or planning process. He specifically pointed out replacement players like Brevis, Mhatre, and Urvil Patel, stating that the management merely got lucky with them.
“Even players like Brevis, Mhatre, and Urvil Patel were replacement players. CSK just got lucky with them. It’s not like they did some planning or process to land them,” he noted.
Furthermore, Badrinath highlighted the high-profile trade that brought Sanju Samson to CSK. While landing Samson was a massive acquisition, Badrinath pointed out that it came at a staggering cost. To secure Samson, CSK had to trade away two of their biggest match-winners: Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. This trade, in Badrinath’s eyes, proves that CSK has not made any isolated, strategic decisions that worked on their own merit without depleting the core squad.
“Even a good acquisition like Sanju Samson came through trade, where they had to give up Jadeja and Sam Curran. So there is no decision that they’ve made, which has worked in isolation,” Badrinath concluded.
A Crucial Junction for Chennai Super Kings
With only one game left in IPL 2026 and their playoff hopes looking bleak, Chennai Super Kings find themselves at a crucial crossroads. The transition era was always going to be difficult, but Badrinath’s outspoken remarks have shed light on potential internal rifts and strategic failures within the management. Whether these claims prompt a structural rebuild or a change in auction philosophy remains to be seen, but the aura of flawless management surrounding CSK is undoubtedly facing its toughest test yet.
Shaan Cooper is a cricket journalist and SEO content writer from Bengaluru who focuses on breaking cricket news, live match coverage, and player performance stories. Her writing style combines fast-paced reporting with detailed cricket knowledge tailored for digital sports platforms.
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