Ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League, young opener Ruturaj Gaikwad will take over as captain of the Chennai Super Kings after MS Dhoni steps down.
Before the TATA IPL 2024 season begins, MS Dhoni has given Ruturaj Gaikwad the captaincy of the Chennai Super Kings. Since 2019, Ruturaj has been a crucial member of the Chennai Super Kings, participating in 52 IPL games. Regarding the captaincy change, CSK released a statement saying, “The team is excited for the upcoming season.”
Presenting @ChennaiIPL's Captain – @Ruutu1331 🙌🙌#TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/vt77cWXyBI
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 21, 2024
The 42-year-old has won five IPL titles as CSK’s captain, including the title triumph in 2023 after defeating Gujarat Titans in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. After winning the trophy, Dhoni confirmed that he would return for the IPL 2024, effectively ending doubts about his retirement. Dhoni confirmed his international retirement on August 15, 2020. He guided India to the 2007 World Twenty20 title, the 2011 World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, a right-handed batsman who has been with CSK since the 2019 IPL auction, has shown remarkable form and consistency. His technical prowess and composed batting style have solidified his position as one of the team’s key opening batters. In the IPL 2023 season, Gaikwad’s contributions were instrumental, amassing 590 runs in 16 appearances, showcasing his potential to lead the team into the future.
The decision to appoint Gaikwad as captain comes with the endorsement of former India cricketer Suresh Raina, who has shared a close bond with Dhoni and considers Gaikwad an ideal choice to lead CSK post-Dhoni’s era. Raina highlighted the importance of the IPL 2024 season for CSK, viewing it as a crucial period for the team to plan for the future under new leadership.
This is not the first time that CSK has faced difficulties with captaincy changes. In the 2022 IPL season, for example, Ravindra Jadeja resigned from the position after just eight games, and Dhoni took over. But with Dhoni’s leadership, both on and off the field, Gaikwad is ready to lead CSK into a new era and carry on the legacy of one of the greatest captains in cricket history.
Dhoni has played 250 IPL matches, amassing 5,082 runs at an average of 38.79 and making 24 half-centuries. As CSK prepares to defend their title in the IPL 2024, starting with a match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22 at Chepauk, all eyes will be on Gaikwad as he takes on the mantle of captaincy, aiming to lead the team to continued success in the highly competitive landscape of the IPL.
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