Dhoni outlines CSK expctations ahead of 2026 IPL with regards to Ruturaj Gaikwad as well as the mini-auction.
Dhoni expects Gaikwad’s return to fix CSK’s batting problems in IPL 2026.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s return, according to MS Dhoni, will strengthen the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) batting in the 2026 Indian Premier League.
Gaikwad suffered an elbow injury during five games and was declared out of the IPL 2025. After taking over as captain, Dhoni was unable to improve the team’s performance; they struggled to produce reliable batting performances and finished at the bottom with just four wins from 14 games.
“We are slightly worried about our batting order,” Dhoni said at an event in Chennai. “But I think our batting order is quite sorted out now. Rutu (Gaikwad) will be coming back. He got injured. But he will be coming back. So, we are quite sorted now.”
Dhoni said the team will try to further strengthen the unit at the mini-auction later this year. “I won’t say we [CSK] slacked off [in IPL 2025],” he said. “But there were certain holes that we needed to plug in. A small auction is coming in December. Some loopholes are there, and we will try to plug those in.”
The encounter between CSK and the Punjab Kings at Mullanpur on April 8 will be Gaikwad’s final competitive appearance. Yorkshire had a county contract with him, but he withdrew for personal reasons. Later this month, he will be part of the West Zone team for the Duleep Trophy 2025–26.