The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), one of the most successful teams in IPL history, is going through a rough patch in the 2025 season. With five consecutive losses, the team has slipped to the ninth position on the points table, and fans are beginning to question what’s going wrong within the camp.

Adding fuel to the fire, rumors have surfaced suggesting a rift between CSK’s former captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and the legendary MS Dhoni. According to social media speculation, Gaikwad has allegedly unfollowed Dhoni on Instagram after stepping down from the captaincy due to injury.

Injury Forces Leadership Change

Ruturaj Gaikwad, who started the season as CSK’s skipper, was ruled out of the tournament early due to injury. In his absence, the team turned to its most trusted leader, MS Dhoni, to take the reins once again. However, the team’s performance hasn’t improved under Dhoni’s captaincy either, intensifying concerns among fans and analysts.

Did Gaikwad Unfollow Dhoni? Here’s What We Know

The controversy began when fans noticed that Ruturaj Gaikwad was not following Dhoni on Instagram. This led to speculations about a possible fallout. However, many users were quick to point out that Gaikwad had never followed Dhoni in the first place. Screenshots and old social media data suggest that there was no recent unfollowing action—indicating that the rumors might be baseless.

Still, in a season marked by poor results and pressure, even minor social media cues can spark major debates.

Fans React Strongly on Social Media

The speculation triggered a storm on platforms like Twitter and Instagram. Some fans criticized the media and fellow fans for jumping to conclusions, while others expressed concern over CSK’s declining performance. Memes, emotional reactions, and debates flooded timelines—showing just how passionate the fanbase is.

One fan wrote, “Dhoni is a legend; there’s no need to read too much into who follows whom.” Another added, “Stop spreading negativity. Focus on supporting the team in tough times.”

CSK’s Playoff Chances Hanging by a Thread

With only a few matches left in the group stage, Chennai Super Kings face an uphill battle to make it to the playoffs. They’ll need to win all remaining matches and depend on other results to go in their favor.

The real question now is: can the team bounce back under Dhoni’s leadership, or will internal pressures further derail their campaign?