Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 due to an elbow injury. Despite his absence from the field, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain continues to fulfill his off-field responsibilities for the franchise. Recently, he inaugurated a new Super Kings Cricket Academy in Puducherry, a Union Territory of India.
Gaikwad sustained the injury after being struck on the elbow by a delivery from Tushar Deshpande during a match against the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Although he featured in a few more matches following the incident, the injury eventually forced him to miss the remainder of the season. In his absence, former CSK captain MS Dhoni returned to lead the side. Dhoni had stepped down from the captaincy after the 2023 season, handing over the role to Gaikwad ahead of the 2024 campaign.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Unveils Super Kings Academy in Puducherry; See Photos
On Wednesday, April 23, the 28-year-old batsman inaugurated the new Super Kings Academy in Puducherry. Dressed in a light grey shirt, Gaikwad cut the ribbons to officially open the cricket academy, with his fans cheering for him during the event. CSK shared photos from the occasion on their official X (formerly Twitter) account. Check out the post below.
Ruturaj Gaikwad launches #SuperKingsAcademy at Puducherry! đ¤Šđ
— Super Kings Academy (@SuperKingsAcad) April 23, 2025
Admissions open now! đ
Click the link in bio for more details #TrainLikeASuperKing đ pic.twitter.com/9Npw9GeqRo
The Super Kings Academy, an initiative by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise, aims to provide cricket coaching to young, aspiring students in India. The academy has expanded internationally, with over 22 locations across four countries: India, the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (USA), and Australia.
Ruturaj Gaikwad had been in stellar form on the field before his unfortunate injury ruled him out of IPL 2025. The right-handed batsman displayed exceptional skill and consistency, scoring two half-centuries in just five matches, showcasing his impressive ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed. His performances were marked by a remarkable strike rate of 150.61, a testament to his aggressive style of play, which made him a key player for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) early in the season.
Gaikwad’s batting technique, combined with his calm demeanor, had him as a reliable contributor for CSK. His ability to adapt to different match situations allowed him to anchor the innings and accelerate at crucial moments. This versatility in his batting, along with the high strike rate, made him one of the most promising players in the squad.
CSK began the IPL 2025 season on a positive note, with Gaikwad leading the team to victory in the opening match against Mumbai Indians. His leadership in that match, as well as his performances with the bat, showed that he was ready to take on the responsibility of leading a team as prestigious as CSK. However, despite the initial success, the team struggled to maintain that momentum. Under Gaikwadâs captaincy, CSK suffered four consecutive defeats, which led to concerns about the teamâs consistency and overall performance.
The losses highlighted a range of challenges for CSK, including the need for better team coordination and stronger performances in critical moments of the game. Despite Gaikwad’s individual brilliance, the team found it difficult to bounce back, and this series of losses impacted their standing in the tournament. The consecutive defeats were particularly frustrating for the franchise, who had hoped that Gaikwad’s leadership would bring about a strong season.
Unfortunately, the combination of mounting pressure from the losses and Gaikwadâs own injury led to him being ruled out of the remainder of the tournament. While his absence was a setback for CSK, the performances he displayed in his brief stint were a reminder of his potential, both as a batsman and a leader. His time on the field in IPL 2025 reinforced his reputation as a promising talent for the future of Indian cricket.
Currently, CSK has had a challenging season. With only two wins from eight matches, they are at the bottom of the points table with just four points.