In a sensational development on Thursday (Mar 21) afternoon, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made a big announcement as skipper MS Dhoni stepped down from the captaincy on the eve of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. For the second time in three seasons, CSK, the joint-most successful franchise in the history of the tournament with five titles, opted to change captaincy with MS Dhoni stepping down to pave the way for Ruturaj Gaikwad to lead in IPL 2024. CSK head coach Stephen Fleming for the first time since the change in guard took to the media and opened up on the transition.

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Ruturaj replaces Fleming

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“It was MS [Dhoni’s decision] with a lot of consideration and one view to the future on the back of a good season last year,” Fleming said at the press conference on Thursday. “The timing was good. Behind the scenes, Ruturaj and others have been on a, say, a captaincy-grooming process, looking forward to days like this and the opportunities come up, but MS is the best judge and he felt the time was right.”

This is not the first time CSK have opted to change captaincy on the eve of the tournament, having opted to hand Ravindra Jadeja the armband in the 2022 season. The move did not materialise well and saw Dhoni return to lead the side after Jadeja’s poor spell as captain was coupled with injury.

However, this time it is predicted that CSK are well prepared for the change in role with MS Dhoni likely to play in his final season with the franchise. According to Fleming, CSK have been pragmatic and avoided a repeat of previous mistakes.

“Well, the big thing about a couple of years ago was that we probably weren’t ready for MS to move aside,” Fleming said. “And what that did was probably shake us as a leadership group or coaches into looking at the possibility when he does go. And up until that stage, it was almost unthinkable, but it sowed the seed. So, we’ve worked pretty hard on making sure that any mistakes that were made during then aren’t made again. And that the leadership isn’t a secret.”

CSK meet RCB in curtain raiser

The defending champions will raise the curtains for the IPL 2024 when they take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. RCB have not won at the venue against CSK since the inaugural season in 2008. The match will start at 7:30 pm with the toss taking place at 7:00 pm. The opening ceremony will start at 6:00 pm with several stars, including AR Rahman set to perform.

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