Did MS Dhoni Prefer Ravindra Jadeja Over Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK Captain?

A Leadership Transition Under Scrutiny

The leadership transition at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) continues to be a hot topic of debate among cricket pundits and fans alike. Following the shift in captaincy from MS Dhoni to Ruturaj Gaikwad, former CSK batter and teammate of the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman, Subramaniam Badrinath, has voiced strong opinions regarding the decision-making process within the franchise.

Badrinath Challenges the Succession Plan

In a recent critique, Badrinath questioned the narrative surrounding Gaikwad’s appointment. He argued that the responsibility for such a monumental decision rests squarely with the team management rather than the outgoing captain himself. While acknowledging that MS Dhoni might have provided input, Badrinath firmly believes that the final call was an administrative one, not an individual directive.

“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. He further added, “Knowing Dhoni, if at all he had any say in this, he would have suggested Ravindra Jadeja only as the next captain.”

The Mystery Surrounding MS Dhoni’s Absence

Beyond the captaincy debate, the 2026 IPL season has been shrouded in mystery regarding MS Dhoni’s participation. Despite being present at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Dhoni has remained absent from the playing XI throughout the season. Early reports suggested a calf injury, followed by a thumb injury, yet his prolonged absence remains a point of confusion for the fanbase.

Badrinath expressed his frustration with the lack of transparency, stating, “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?”

Critique of CSK’s Management and Auction Strategy

The dissatisfaction expressed by the former cricketer extended beyond leadership to the team’s overall recruitment strategy. With CSK currently sitting in seventh place in the IPL 2026 points table and fighting for a narrow path to the playoffs, Badrinath did not mince words regarding the team’s performance in recent mega and mini-auctions.

He described the recruitment of certain players as fortunate rather than strategic. “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 remarked.

Furthermore, Badrinath pointed out that high-profile acquisitions, such as Sanju Samson, were the result of trades involving key assets like Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, rather than tactical auction brilliance. He concluded that the franchise has struggled to make isolated decisions that yield consistent success on the field.

Looking Ahead

As Chennai Super Kings head into their final match of the season, the team finds itself in a precarious position. While still mathematically in contention for a playoff spot, the internal questions regarding leadership, player management, and the future of the iconic MS Dhoni loom large over the franchise. Whether these concerns will lead to a broader restructuring of the CSK setup remains to be seen in the upcoming off-season.