New Delhi: MS Dhoni’s stepping down as the captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might turn out to a big mistake ahead of IPL 2024, reckoned former South African skipper Ab de Villiers. Just a day before the first game on Thursday, Dhoni relinquished his leadership and passed on the baton to young Ruturaj Gaikwad, a move that was on cards since the previous season. With age not by his side, Dhoni is expected to hang up his boots at the end of the ongoing season.
This is not the first time, Dhoni stepped down from CSK leadership but the move failed miserably. In 2022, Dhoni passed on the baton to Ravindra Jadeja just one day before the IPL started. Under Jadeja, CSK lost seven matches on the trot before Dhoni took over the reigns midway into the tournament.
“I think it’s a huge mistake. To me, MS Dhoni is five guys in the team as captain. Will that work together? I am not sure. We will have to wait and see. I do think it’s a mistake. What happened last time is similar. I feel CSK’s all about MS Dhoni’s leadership. And his captaincy will be a mistake,” De Villiers told on JioCinema.
On Thursday, it was the captain’s photoshoot that triggered the buzz. Unlike previous years, Gaikwad represented CSK instead of Dhoni. Within few minutes, IPL announced the CSK opener as the captain of the franchise before the five-time champions announced the change in a press release.
“Last year itself, Mahi bhai had hinted about captaincy at some point of time,” Gaikwad said after being trusted with the responsibility. “He just hinted that, ‘be ready, it shouldn’t be a surprise to you’. When we came into the camp, he involved me in some of the match simulation,” he added.
Taking off from where it ended!
#CSKvRCB #WhistlePodu #Yellove pic.twitter.com/gSS5jCmOv4
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 22, 2024
Earlier, Dhoni on March 4, posted a cryptic Facebook post which created a buzz. “Can’t wait for the new season and the new ‘role’.” Stay tuned!” For the record, Dhoni led CSK in 235 games across all competitions. Under him, CSK won two Champions League titles and five IPL trophies.
Meanwhile, Gaikwad started his captaincy stint with a win as CSK defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets in the IPL 2024 opener. Batting first, RCB recovered to 173/6 after being reduced to 78/5 at one stage. Anuj Rawat (48 off 25) and Dinesh Karthik (38 not out off 26) shared a 95-run stand off 50 balls for the sixth wicket to give some respectability to the total.
Mustafizur Rahman was the stand out bowler for CSK taking four wickets. In response, CSK got home in 18.4 overs after contributions from debutant Rachin Ravindra (37 off 15), seasoned Ajinkya Rahane (27 off 19), Shivam Dube (34 not out off 28) and Ravindra Jadeja (25 not out off 17).
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