Mahendra Singh Dhoni, fondly known as “Mahi” or “Captain Cool,” has once again surprised the cricketing world by stepping down as the captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) a day before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. CSK has announced that Ruturaj Gaikwad will take over the captaincy role from the Legendary MS Dhoni.
MS Dhoni’s Surprise Moves
MS Dhoni is famously known as “Mahendra ‘Surprise’ Dhoni” for his unexpected decisions, especially regarding captaincy. He caught everyone off-guard when he retired from Test cricket in 2014 during India’s tour of Australia. Similarly, in 2017, he stepped down from the captaincy of the ODI and T20I teams via an email, surprising fans and teammates alike.
MS Dhoni’s latest move to hand over the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad is his fifth significant surprise regarding captaincy. Previously, he had also briefly stepped down as CSK captain in 2022, appointing Ravindra Jadeja as the new skipper. However, this decision backfired, and Dhoni had to take over the captaincy again mid-season due to the team’s poor performance under Ravindra Jadeja.
Also Check Out: IPL 2024: Full Team Squads, Players List, Format and Schedule
Dhoni’s Legacy as CSK Captain
Legendary MS DhoniUnder Dhoni’s captaincy, CSK has been one of the most successful franchises in the IPL, winning the title five times (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023). His calm and composed leadership, combined with his tactical acumen, has been instrumental in the team’s success.
Dhoni has led CSK in 235 out of their 249 games across all competitions, guiding them to two Champions League T20 titles in addition to the five IPL triumphs. His win-loss ratio of 1.461 in the IPL is bettered only by Hardik Pandya (2.444) and Steven Smith (1.470) among captains who have led teams in 20 or more matches.
Also Check Out: CSK vs RCB Dream11 IPL 2024 Prediction and Fantasy Tips
New CSK Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad, a 27-year-old stylish opener from Maharashtra, has been entrusted with the captaincy role for the upcoming IPL season. Gaikwad has been part of the CSK setup since 2019 and has played 52 matches in the IPL, scoring 1797 runs at an average of 39.06 and a strike rate of 135.52.
New CSK Captain Ruturaj GaikwadGaikwad has been tipped as Dhoni’s successor for a while, especially after his impressive performance in the 2021 IPL season, where he finished as the leading run-scorer with 635 runs. His consistent performances have also earned him a place in India’s white-ball squads, where he has played 6 ODIs and 19 T20Is.
One of Gaikwad’s immediate challenges as the new CSK captain will be to decide on his opening partner, as his regular partner Devon Conway has been ruled out until May due to a thumb injury.
Also Check Out: IPL 2024: How to Watch IPL Live Streaming Online in Canada
MS Dhoni’s Future Plans
The big question on everyone’s mind is what lies ahead for the 42-year-old MS Dhoni. Will he continue playing as a player for CSK in the upcoming seasons, or will he transition into a mentorship role? Dhoni’s future plans remain a mystery, as he is known for his surprises.
Regardless of his decision, MS Dhoni has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest captains in the history of cricket. His leadership skills, calm demeanor, and ability to make crucial decisions have earned him immense respect from fans and players alike.
As the IPL 2024 season kicks off, all eyes will be on Ruturaj Gaikwad as he takes over the captaincy reins from the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The cricketing world eagerly awaits to see how this new chapter unfolds for both Dhoni and CSK.
