Before the opening match of IPL 2024 between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), there was a surprising twist for CSK fans. The legendary captain, MS Dhoni, decided to pass on the captaincy to the young opener, Ruturaj Gaikwad, just before the tournament. This move stunned fans, experts, and even CSK’s management, as Dhoni had led the team to five IPL titles, making him one of the greatest captains in the league’s history. However, Dhoni, at 42, felt it was time to groom the next generation of leaders, giving 27-year-old Gaikwad a chance to lead.
CSK CEO made statments regarding Dhoni’s decision
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan admitted he was taken aback by Dhoni’s decision, but he trusted that it was made for the team’s benefit. He said, “Whatever Dhoni does, it’s for the team’s best. I found out just before the captains’ meeting. We have to respect his decision.”
Head coach Stephen Fleming also weighed in, revealing that in 2022, CSK wasn’t prepared to let go of Dhoni’s leadership. However, in the past two years, they’ve been planning and grooming young players for leadership roles. Fleming said, “We weren’t ready to move on from MS in 2022. Dhoni understands the game well, but we want to develop young players for leadership. We are ready this time.”
It’s worth noting that Dhoni had stepped down as captain in the 2022 season, handing the reins to Ravindra Jadeja. However, due to the team’s poor performance, he resumed captaincy. Dhoni, who might be playing his last IPL season, aims to pass on the captaincy to future generations, with Gaikwad being the right fit. Gaikwad has been with CSK for a while and has been consistently scoring runs. He also has captaincy experience, leading the Indian team to its first gold medal in the Asian Games 2022. Dhoni will be supporting Gaikwad on the field throughout the season.
