Has Ruturaj Gaikwad Been Unfairly Targeted? Viral Video After Dhoni's Return Sparks Controversy Among Fans

Nothing seems to be going right for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025. In a shocking turn of events mid-season, CSK’s regular skipper and reliable opener, Ruturaj Gaikwad, sustained an elbow injury and was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament. In response, the franchise handed over the reins to veteran MS Dhoni, rekindling fans’ hopes that "Captain Cool" would revive the struggling squad. However, the comeback didn’t go as expected — Kolkata Knight Riders crushed CSK in a one-sided game, delivering a blow that left fans stunned.

Now, after the match against KKR, a video featuring the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad has gone viral on social media — and it has stirred major controversy. The footage has led many fans to believe that Gaikwad is being made a scapegoat by the franchise.

Was Ruturaj Gaikwad Set Up to Fail?

Ahead of IPL 2024, CSK made a bold move by appointing young Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain, replacing MS Dhoni. At the time, CSK were the reigning champions, and while the decision surprised many, it was met with optimism. However, under Gaikwad’s leadership, the team's performance began to dip.

In IPL 2025, the trend continued — after winning their season opener, CSK slumped into a string of four consecutive defeats. During this poor run, Gaikwad picked up an elbow injury. Despite being hurt, he played two more matches before head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed that the injury was serious enough to sideline him for the rest of the season.

The Viral Video That Sparked the Storm

Amidst CSK's ongoing crisis, a clip surfaced showing Ruturaj Gaikwad participating in training sessions with the team. Shockingly, he was even seen playing football with teammates, raising eyebrows among fans. The burning question: If his injury is that serious, why hasn’t he been sent to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for rehab?

This contradiction has left fans divided. Many believe that Gaikwad has been unfairly benched and used as a scapegoat for the team’s failures. The video has fueled allegations that the franchise may be shielding bigger issues under the guise of Gaikwad’s injury.

CSK Facing Historic Low

Regardless of the internal drama, the five-time champions are going through their roughest patch ever. For the first time in IPL history, CSK has lost five games in a row. Even worse, their fortress — the iconic Chepauk Stadium — has been breached thrice consecutively. After suffering defeats at the hands of RCB and Delhi Capitals, KKR too walked away with an easy win on CSK’s home turf.