Fri Apr 11 12:46:24 UTC 2025: ## Chennai Super Kings Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad Ruled Out of IPL 2025 with Elbow Fracture
**Chennai, April 11, 2025** – Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have suffered a major blow with the news that captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2025 due to a fractured elbow. The injury, a radial neck fracture, was revealed by an MRI after Gaikwad was hit by a short ball from Rajasthan Royals pacer Jofra Archer on March 30th.
Despite playing two further matches while in pain, the injury proved too significant for Gaikwad to continue. CSK head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed the news, expressing disappointment but highlighting Gaikwad’s determination to play through the pain. “He’s been operating with an amount of pain,” Fleming said. “We got an X-ray, which was inconclusive, and we had an MRI, which revealed a fracture in his elbow.”
The announcement comes amidst controversy after a video surfaced online appearing to show Gaikwad playing football during CSK training. The authenticity and date of the video are unverified, sparking online debate about the nature of his injury. Some fans questioned if he was “forcefully dropped.”
With Gaikwad’s absence, veteran MS Dhoni will resume captaincy duties for the five-time IPL champions. The team now faces a significant challenge in replacing Gaikwad’s consistent batting performance, particularly with the middle order struggling to chase down higher scores. Potential replacements include Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, and untested youngster Vansh Bedi. CSK also has the option of bringing in substitute player Ayush Mhatre. The team will be hoping to find a solution quickly as they continue their IPL campaign.
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