Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of IPL 2025 after suffering an elbow fracture during the match against Rajasthan Royals.

Here are some potential replacements who could step in for the remainder of the season:

Dewald Brevis

The South African batter could be a strong replacement for Ruturaj, given that CSK has an available overseas slot. Brevis has been in outstanding form in the South African domestic season. In the recently concluded SA20, he amassed 291 runs at an impressive average of 48.50 and a blistering strike rate of 184.17.

With three seasons of IPL experience at Mumbai Indians, Brevis brings valuable exposure to high-pressure games. His aggressive batting could be a key asset for CSK, which needs its top order to step up.

Lhuan-dre Pretorious

Another talented South African, Pretorius, is a player to watch for the future. The left-hander made an impressive impact in his debut SA20 season, scoring 397 runs at an average of 33.08 with a strong strike rate of 166.80.

Primarily an opener, the 19-year-old has shown immense promise and could be a smart long-term investment for CSK.

Ayush mhatre

Mhatre made a strong impression in domestic cricket last season. Though he is yet to make his T20 debut, he was outstanding in the last Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring at a strike rate of 135.50 while averaging 65.42 for Mumbai.

At just 17, he boasts immense potential and could be a future star for CSK. Recently, he grabbed headlines after reportedly attending CSK’s midseason trials.

Alex Carey

In Ruturaj’s absence, CSK could bring in a proven match-winner like Alex Carey. He was in excellent form during the recently concluded Champions Trophy.

Beyond his ability to dominate spin, Carey also offers CSK a reliable wicket-keeping option, adding depth to the squad.