MS Dhoni Resigns as CSK Captain: Chennai Turns to Ruturaj Gaikwad; Dhoni’s Legacy Sees CSK Champion 5 Times
In a notable development for cricket fans, MS Dhoni has resigned from his position as captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), with Ruturaj Gaikwad set to lead the team in IPL 2024. The commencement of IPL 2024 will witness Gaikwad taking charge ahead of the season under Dhoni’s guidance. The opening match of this season is scheduled between Chennai and Bangalore at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Friday.
CSK released a statement stating, “MS Dhoni has handed over the captaincy of the Chennai Super Kings to Ruturaj Gaikwad before the start of IPL 2024. Gaikwad has been a part of CSK since 2019 and has played 52 matches during this time. The team is looking forward to the upcoming season.” Prior to this, MS Dhoni, along with Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja, had successfully led the team.
MS Dhoni’s Stint as CSK Captain: Five-Time Champions
During his tenure as captain, MS Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to victory five times, culminating in their triumph over Gujarat Titans in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With this win, Dhoni, at the age of 42, clinched his fifth IPL title as captain for CSK.
Following the trophy win, Dhoni confirmed his return for IPL 2024. Having played 250 IPL matches, Dhoni has amassed 5,082 runs at an average of 38.79, crafting 24 half-centuries along the way.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Rise to Captaincy
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s elevation to the captaincy role comes as a result of his long-standing presence as a leadership option in virtual cricket circles. Even from his debut season with Chennai, there were murmurs about his potential future as captain, with some insiders suggesting it was Dhoni’s preference.
Beyond leadership, Gaikwad has proven to be highly proficient in batting as well. Apart from the 2022 season, he has consistently maintained an average of over 40 runs per year for CSK. Additionally, he has showcased his leadership abilities in domestic cricket, notably captaining Maharashtra.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Leads Indian Team to Gold in Asian Games
Ruturaj Gaikwad has made his mark as a captain, having previously led the Indian cricket team to success. In the Asian Games held in China in 2022, the young and talented batter was appointed as the captain of the Indian men’s team.
Under Gaikwad’s leadership, the team emerged victorious, securing a gold medal for India in the tournament. This achievement further solidifies Gaikwad’s leadership credentials and underscores his potential as a prominent figure in Indian cricket.
Dhoni Also Stepped Down in 2022
Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni had also relinquished captaincy during the 2022 season. When Ravindra Jadeja was appointed as captain, but due to the team’s poor performance, Jadeja also stepped down mid-season, leading to Dhoni being compelled to take up the captaincy again.
Subsequently, in the 2023 season, Dhoni led Chennai to victory, clinching their fifth championship title under his leadership.
Gaikwad Has Been Playing for CSK Since 2020
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who actively participates in domestic cricket for Maharashtra, has been a part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team since the 2020 season.
Thus far, he has played 52 matches across four seasons, amassing 1797 runs at an average of 39.07 and a strike rate of 135.52.
