Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Chennai Super Kings star, on Thursday (March 21) relinquished IPL captaincy by handing over the baton to CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of IPL 2024, starting on March 22 in Chennai. MS Dhoni, as fans worldwide recognise him, took a call to pick Gaikwad to fill in his shoes at CSK just one day before the start of the marquee tournament, the franchise’s official announcement read.

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Upon reaching out to the CSK’s CEO, Kasi Viswanathan, for comments on the same, CSK’s backroom staff veteran revealed that he also knew about Dhoni relinquishing his IPL captaincy just before the captain’s meet. He insisted that Dhoni’s decision is always in the team’s interest and should be respected.

“Whatever Dhoni does, it is in the best interest of the team. I got to know of the decision just before the captains’ meeting. You have to respect his decision, it is his call,” CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan told PTI.

Upon getting picked by CSK during the maiden IPL auction in 2008 for over a million dollars, MS Dhoni captained the side for 14 years, leading the franchise to five IPL titles, joint-most with Mumbai Indians in the tournament history.

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After failing to do it in the first two seasons, Dhoni-led CSK won IPL titles in 2010 and 2011. Chennai Super Kings then lost three finals in four straight seasons before facing a two-year suspension on fixing charges. A grand return to the league in 2018 saw them winning their third title that season. 

A close loss by just one run at the hands of MI in 2019 shattered their dreams, but CSK returned in 2021 to win their fourth title. Although they suffered a dismal fate the following season in 2022, finishing in the bottom half of the points table, CSK won the IPL title last year, which happened to be the last under MS Dhoni.

Gaikwad – the new leader!

Having tried passing on the baton in 2022, with Ravindra Jadeja chosen as the new captain ahead of the season, MS Dhoni had to quickly get back to leading the side midway through the tournament.

“It didn’t work out at that time, this is different,” said Viswanathan of Jadeja replacing Dhoni as IPL captain in 2022.

Two years later, with Dhoni’s time running out in the IPL, given his age, he had to pick his successor, and Gaikwad was the one he chose. 

CSK head coach Stephen Fleming also commented on the same, saying. “We weren’t ready to move away from MS in 2022. Dhoni has a good sense of the game, but we want to develop the young players for the role. We are well prepared this time.”

Meanwhile, Gaikwad, the right-handed opener made his IPL debut in 2020 and has featured in 52 matches, hitting 1797 runs at 39.07. He has scored 14 fifties and a hundred. 

Chennai Super Kings will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the curtain-raiser on March 22 in Chennai. 

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