With no Ruturaj Gaikwad for CSK in IPL 2025, because the skipper is out resulting from an elbow fracture, who’re the names that may change him? Check out three high quality gamers.
Big news coming from the CSK camp, as the five-time champions are once again handing over the captaincy to MS Dhoni. And it’s because of one big reason, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the entirety of IPL 2025 due to an elbow fracture. Certainly, a disappointing update for Gaikwad fans. While his form wasn’t at its peak, everyone knows how dangerous this player can be. But the reality is, he’s no longer part of IPL 2025. So, who are the players that can replace him in the CSK team? Well, there are a few deserving names who look like real contenders. Take a look at three quality Indian players who could replace Ruturaj Gaikwad for the remainder of IPL 2025.
Players who can replace Ruturaj Gaikwad in CSK
Mayank Agarwal
Extremely experienced, Mayank Agarwal has played 127 IPL matches and scored an impressive 2,661 runs What’s interesting about his career is that he has represented multiple franchises, from Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Delhi Capitals, Rising Pune Supergiants, Punjab Kings, and most recently, Sunrisers Hyderabad. He also captained Punjab Kings during the 2022 season. Being a top-order batter, Mayank could be a strong candidate to replace Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Prithvi Shaw
It could prove to be a golden opportunity for Prithvi Shaw if he gets a spot in the CSK camp. Known for his aggressive starts at the top, Shaw can be a valuable asset. With 79 IPL matches under his belt, he has scored 1,892 runs at a strike rate of 147.47, including 14 half-centuries. Although he went unsold in the auction and featured in only eight games for Delhi Capitals last season, this could be the perfect chance for him to reignite his IPL career and showcase his batting class.
Ayush Mhatre
Ayush Mhatre, who surprisingly went unsold in the IPL auction despite putting in some amazing performances on the table, has seen things turn around quite well. The 17-year-old Mumbai opener was recently invited for mid-season trials by Chennai Super Kings.
Since the auction, Mhatre has continued to shine. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024–25, he scored 458 runs in seven matches at an average of 65.42, including two centuries and a fifty. He also made a mark in the Under-19 Asia Cup 2024/25, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer for India U19 with 176 runs. In the Ranji Trophy, he maintained his fine form, ending as Mumbai’s fourth-highest run scorer with 471 runs in eight matches, including two centuries.
In short, he is an exciting player to watch out for if given a chance to play for CSK.
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