Picture Credit: X/IPL
While the Indian Test team toils hard in the fifth and final Test to culminate the five-match series in a stalemate, there are talks around the Asia Cup as well as the Indian Premier League (IPL) circulating around on the internet. However, the 2025 edition of the IPL culminated with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lifting their maiden title in tournament’s 18-year-long history, there are also talks of franchises eyeing to make a few trades in the ongoing transfer window.
While Sanju Samson’s trade talk with five-time champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has been the most talked points, recently, former CSK captain and one of the veterans of the game, MS Dhoni dropped a bombshell remark on who could continue in the Yellow Army and who could pave their way out with the IPL 2026 auction set to take place later this year.
Rutu will be coming back: MS Dhoni confirms Ruturaj Gaikwad’s return as CSK captain in IPL 2026
Speaking at a private event in Chennai on Saturday, August 2, the 43-year-old confirmed the return of skipper and opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was ruled out of the 2025 edition with a elbow injury. Furthermore, the wicketkeeping legend also admitted the team issues from the previous edition, while hinting at some of the players' exclusion from the next season.
“We are slightly worried about our batting order. But I think our batting order is quite sorted out now. Rutu (Gaikwad) will be coming back. He got injured. But he will be coming back. So, we are quite sorted now,” Dhoni said during a private function in Chennai.
Watch video of MS Dhoni’s BIG revelation around Ruturaj Gaikwad:
“I won't say we (CSK) slacked off (in IPL 2025). But there were certain holes that we needed to plug in. A small auction is coming in December. Some loopholes are there, and we will try to plug those in,” he continued.
It is to be noted that Gaikwad's last competitive outing came in CSK’s match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Mullanpur on April 8. In the five matches he played for CSK in IPL 2025, he amassed 122 runs at an average of 24.30 and a strike rate of 150.61. After his injury, which forced him to miss remainder of the season, MS Dhoni took over the captaincy reins which saw the Yellow Army finish at the bottom-most spot with four wins from 14 matches.
