Did MS Dhoni Prefer Jadeja Over Gaikwad? Former CSK Star Raises Questions

Zayn Kapoor · 21/05/2026 · 1 min read

The Debate Surrounding CSK’s Leadership

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have long been defined by their stability and long-term planning. However, recent developments in the IPL 2026 season have sparked intense scrutiny regarding the team’s internal decision-making processes. Former CSK batter Subramaniam Badrinath has openly questioned the transition of the captaincy from MS Dhoni to Ruturaj Gaikwad, fueling rumors about who truly holds the reins at the franchise.

Badrinath’s Stance on the Captaincy

Badrinath, who shared the dressing room with Dhoni during the franchise’s golden era, expressed skepticism regarding the narrative that Dhoni hand-picked Gaikwad as his successor. According to Badrinath, the responsibility for such a pivotal leadership change rests squarely on the shoulders of the team management rather than the veteran wicketkeeper-batter.

“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 speculated on Dhoni’s personal preference, adding, “Knowing Dhoni, if at all he had any say in this, he would have suggested Ravindra Jadeja only as the next captain.”

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Zayn Kapoor

Zayn Kapoor is a senior cricket correspondent for The Indian Express, acclaimed for his incisive coverage of the sport’s most electric rivalry: India versus Pakistan. An alumnus of Hindu College, University of Delhi, he began his career on the domestic circuit before quickly establishing himself as a sharp analyst and a gifted storyteller. Zayn’s work is defined by his ability to bridge two cricketing cultures; his features often explore the shared histories, mutual admiration, and occasional tensions that make India‑Pakistan contests unrivalled. He has a deep technical grasp of fast bowling and has interviewed some of the greatest pacers from both sides of the border. A recipient of the Sardar Hazara Singh Award and a regular face on television panels, Zayn brings nuance, empathy, and a historian’s eye to every piece he writes. He is also a passionate advocate for preserving cricket’s oral histories and grassroots traditions.