MS Dhoni might be taking the lead for Chennai Super Kings once again when they face Delhi Capitals in an IPL 2025 match this Saturday. There’s a bit of concern over Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury; he hurt his forearm when he was struck by a ball from Tushar Deshpande during a game against Rajasthan Royals. As of now, it’s unclear if he’ll be fit to play. He hasn’t trained before this match, and CSK’s batting coach, Mike Hussey, mentioned that they’ll make a decision about Gaikwad right before the game. With no clear alternatives for the captaincy, it looks like Dhoni will step in to lead the team in front of their supporters in Chennai.
“We’re hoping he’ll try to bat today during practice. It’s still a bit sore, but it’s getting better every day. So, we’re feeling hopeful and confident that he’ll be okay for tomorrow,” Hussey said the day before the match. When asked about who might take over in case Gaikwad couldn’t play, Hussey hinted at Dhoni without saying his name directly.
“I’m not really sure. I haven’t thought about it much. But I know that Stephen Fleming and Ruturaj have probably discussed it a bit,” Hussey said. “We have some young talent coming up. There’s one guy behind the stumps who could potentially do a good job. He has some experience in that role, so who knows? But I can’t say for certain.”
As for the pitch at MA Chidambaram, it’s expected to be on the slower side and might favor spin bowlers. The conditions in the afternoon will likely reduce any advantage that comes from dew on the field. This means the toss won’t be the deciding factor; instead, it’ll be more about smart bowling and savvy batting.
Historically, the Super Kings have had the upper hand against the Capitals at Chepauk Stadium, but looking at the current form, it seems Delhi might have the edge. They’re in good shape lately, and a win for them could push them to the top of the table. On the other hand, CSK really needs to turn things around before it gets too late in the season.
Despite Delhi’s current form, the all-time record favors Chennai. Out of the 30 matches played between these two teams, CSK has come out on top in 19 of them, while Delhi has managed to win only 11 times. So it’s going to be an interesting match-up, especially seeing how both teams stack up against each other this time around.
