Chennai Tremendous Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad recalled the second when MS Dhoni revealed he’ll not be main the facet and handed over his tasks to the opening batter. On the eve of the 2024 IPL season, stepped down because the captain of the CSK and handed over the reigns to Gaikwad, who has been a part of the franchise since 2019. Dhoni led CSK in 212 matches, profitable 128 video games whereas shedding 82 matches because the IPL started in 2008, besides the 2 years when the franchise was suspended on account of spot fixing scandal. In the beginning of the 2022 season, Dhoni handed over the captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja at however returned as skipper after eight matches.
“Only a week earlier than the event final yr, MS Dhoni got here as much as me and stated, ‘I am not main this yr—you might be.’ I used to be bowled over, asking, ‘From the primary sport? Are you positive?’ With just some days to arrange, it was overwhelming.
“However he assured me, ‘That is your staff. You make your individual selections. I will not intrude—besides when discipline placements are a 50-50 name. Even then, it is not a compulsion to comply with my recommendation. That belief meant rather a lot to me,” stated Gaikwad on JioHotstar.
Dhoni’s tenure as captain of CSK started within the first season again in 2008 and resulted in 5 trophy-winning campaigns. He has spent his whole profession with the Tremendous Kings barring the 2016 and 2017 seasons when the franchise was suspended.
“When a extremely skilled captain continues to be on the sphere, his presence could be both an asset or overwhelming. Some gamers may surprise, ‘Am I actually main, or is the staff nonetheless trying to the previous captain?’ However Dhoni’s persona is phenomenal—he ensures the transition is seamless with out overshadowing the brand new chief,” stated former India batter Aakash Chopra.
In Gaikwad’s first season as captain, CSK narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2024 IPL Playoffs. The Chennai facet had seven wins and losses every of their 14 sport marketing campaign, which noticed them end fifth, beneath Royal Challengers Bengaluru on internet run charge.
Dhoni might be taking part in in his 18th season within the event in 2025 and has to this point performed 264 video games and scored 5234 runs with 24 half-centuries to his title.
South Africa nice AB de Villiers additionally credited Dhoni for his longevity and hopes it continues for a few years to comply with. “Gotta give credit score to him for encouraging thousands and thousands of followers on the market to look at the sport of cricket and to be impressed. It is due to guys like him who’ve actually carried the sport nicely over a really lengthy time frame. Contact wooden, hopefully it continues for a couple of extra years to return,” he stated.
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