Badrinath Slams CSK Over MS Dhoni Injury Handling and Gaikwad’s Captaincy

Pressure Mounts on Chennai Super Kings Ahead of Crucial Clash

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) find themselves at a critical juncture as they prepare for their final league match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season against the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium. With playoff qualification hanging by a thread, the Men in Yellow not only require a massive victory to push themselves into the fourth spot on the points table but also need other results to go their way. However, the tension on the field is matched by growing scrutiny off it. Former India and Chennai Super Kings batter Subramaniam Badrinath has launched a scathing critique against the franchise management, questioning how they handled the legendary MS Dhoni‘s injury situation and expressing deep doubts over the appointment of Ruturaj Gaikwad as the team’s captain.

The MS Dhoni Injury Saga and Transparency Issues

At the heart of Badrinath’s criticism is the mystery surrounding MS Dhoni’s physical fitness and playing status throughout the season. The 44-year-old icon did not feature on the field this season due to ongoing injuries and did not travel with the squad to Ahmedabad for this crucial final fixture. Despite his absence from active play, Dhoni was spotted in Chennai, posing for the official team photograph during the half-time break of the CSK vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) clash.

This lack of clarity has raised eyebrows. Badrinath did not hold back in expressing his dissatisfaction with how the franchise managed the narrative. “There were constant questions about MS Dhoni’s playing status,” Badrinath remarked. “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.”

The former Tamil Nadu batting star’s comments point to a potential marketing tactic or administrative failure to communicate openly with the passionate fanbase, leaving supporters in the dark about their beloved icon’s actual physical state.

Questioning Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Captaincy and the Jadeja Preference

In addition to the Dhoni saga, Badrinath took aim at the decision-making process behind the team’s leadership transition. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was handed the captaincy reins, has faced intense scrutiny regarding his tactical acumen. Badrinath questioned whether this appointment truly had the backing of Dhoni himself.

“It is not known if MS wanted Gaikwad as the next skipper,” Badrinath stated. “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.”

Furthermore, Badrinath dropped a major claim, stating that Dhoni would have actually preferred Ravindra Jadeja to lead the side instead of Gaikwad. This claim adds a new layer of complexity to CSK’s recent captaincy history. In 2022, the franchise did attempt to transition the leadership to Jadeja. However, that campaign got off to a disastrous start, prompting the management to return the captaincy to Dhoni. The legendary wicketkeeper-batsman subsequently repaid that decision by leading Chennai to their historic fifth IPL title in 2023.

The dynamics within the squad have shifted significantly since then. Ahead of the 2026 season, Jadeja was traded to the Rajasthan Royals in exchange for Sanju Samson, marking the end of an era for the star all-rounder at CSK and setting up further debates about the franchise’s long-term leadership vision.

Manoj Tiwary Weighs In on CSK’s Leadership Future

Badrinath is not the only former player to voice concerns over Chennai’s current leadership model under Gaikwad. Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has also publicly questioned the direction the franchise is taking. The 40-year-old Tiwary expressed his skepticism regarding Gaikwad’s abilities to lead a high-pressure franchise like the Super Kings over the long term.

Looking ahead, Tiwary suggested a radical shift in leadership. He urged the Chennai Super Kings management to look at Sanju Samson—who joined the franchise following the trade with Jadeja—as the ideal candidate to take over the captaincy duties for the 2027 season. This perspective aligns with a growing sentiment that Gaikwad may not be the definitive answer to CSK’s post-Dhoni era.

High Stakes in Ahmedabad

As CSK prepares to face the Gujarat Titans, these off-field controversies threaten to overshadow their crucial campaign finale. While the players must focus entirely on securing a heavy victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the management faces mounting pressure to address the transparency issues and leadership debates highlighted by franchise alumni. Whether Gaikwad can silence his critics with a clinical performance remains to be seen, but the questions surrounding Dhoni’s status and the future of CSK’s captaincy are bound to linger long after this IPL season concludes.