Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad sparked laughter and admiration in his pre-match comments ahead of their IPL 2025 showdown against Mumbai Indians (MI) at Chepauk. After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, Gaikwad was asked about CSK’s team combination, and in his response, he humorously referred to MS Dhoni as their “young wicket-keeper.”
MS Dhoni: The oldest player in IPL 2025
At 43 years old, MS Dhoni is the oldest player in IPL 2025, yet he remains a crucial part of CSK’s setup as their wicketkeeper and a guiding force behind the stumps. His fitness and sharp glovework continue to impress, and Gaikwad’s lighthearted remark was a nod to Dhoni’s ageless presence and leadership.
Gaikwad’s statement on the toss
After opting to bowl first, Gaikwad explained the decision, mentioning the unknown nature of the pitch and the team’s intention to chase accordingly. When asked about the team’s lineup, he casually mentioned:
“We are bowling first. Playing on this pitch for the first time, so don’t really know how it will play. We just want to adapt and chase accordingly. Looks a good wicket to bat. Prep has been good. We had our young wicket-keeper coming back early to the camp. Noor, Ellis, Rachin, and Sam Curran are the overseas.”
The cheeky comment about Dhoni instantly caught the attention of fans, who took to social media to celebrate the former CSK captain’s everlasting presence in the IPL.
MI vs CSK playing XI:
Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton(w), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Robin Minz, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Satyanarayana Raju
Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Rachin Ravindra, Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, MS Dhoni(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Khaleel Ahmed
