Did MS Dhoni Prefer Ravindra Jadeja Over Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK Captain? Former Star Speaks Out
The Debate Over CSK’s Leadership Transition
The leadership legacy of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has always been a subject of intense scrutiny, but recent comments from former batter and teammate of MS Dhoni, Subramaniam Badrinath, have added a new layer of intrigue to the situation. With the franchise currently navigating a challenging period in the IPL 2026 season, questions regarding the decision-making process behind Ruturaj Gaikwad’s appointment as captain have resurfaced.
Was Ravindra Jadeja the Preferred Choice?
Badrinath, speaking candidly about the team’s internal dynamics, expressed skepticism regarding the narrative that MS Dhoni was the primary architect behind the choice of Ruturaj Gaikwad as his successor. The former CSK star argued that such a significant decision rests with the franchise management rather than the player alone. He suggested that if Dhoni were to have offered a recommendation, he would have likely leaned toward Ravindra Jadeja for the role.
“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. Knowing Dhoni, if at all he had any say in this, he would have suggested Ravindra Jadeja only as the next captain,” Badrinath stated.
A Challenging Season for the Men in Yellow
The ongoing 2026 campaign has been far from ideal for Chennai Super Kings. Currently languishing in seventh place on the points table with six wins, their playoff prospects hang by a thread with only one game remaining in the league stage. The season has been defined by inconsistency and, perhaps more notably, the mysterious absence of MS Dhoni from the playing XI.
Despite being present at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Dhoni has remained sidelined, with the exact reasoning for his continued absence kept away from the public eye. Initial reports linked his unavailability to a calf injury, followed by a thumb injury later in the season. However, the lack of clarity has left fans and analysts alike questioning the transparency of the situation.
Management Under Fire
Beyond the captaincy debate, Badrinath did not shy away from criticizing the broader management strategies of the franchise. He pointed to a series of disappointing auction strategies—both mega and mini—that he believes have left the team devoid of the depth required to compete at the highest level consistently.
“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 among the franchise’s loyal fanbase.
He further critiqued the team’s recruitment policy, suggesting that successful inclusions like Dewald Brevis, Mhatre, and Urvil Patel were more a matter of good fortune than strategic planning. According to Badrinath, the team’s reliance on trades and external acquisitions, such as the high-profile trade involving Sanju Samson, indicates that the organization has struggled to identify and build talent through their own internal systems effectively. As the season draws to a close, these claims highlight a critical period of introspection for one of the most successful franchises in IPL history.
