Mahendra Singh Dhoni stepped down as captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as Ruturaj Gaikwad has been appointed skipper ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
“MS Dhoni has handed over Chennai Super Kings’ captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the start of IPL 2024. Ruturaj has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings since 2019 and has played 52 matches in IPL during this period. The team looks forward to the upcoming season,” CSK said in a statement.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT: MS Dhoni hands over captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad. #WhistlePodu #Yellove— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 21, 2024
Presenting @ChennaiIPL‘s Captain – @Ruutu1331 #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/vt77cWXyBI— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 21, 2024
Gaikwad took part in the pre-captains photoshoot and met other teams’ skippers’ too and it will also be the first time Pune-based youngster will be the captain in the tournament.
Dhoni is getting no younger and is set to turn 43 come July as speculations continue to build on whether the upcoming IPL could be his last as a player.
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Despite doubts regarding his availability for IPL, ‘Thala’ Dhoni underwent surgery in Mumbai last year and has made his recovery and recently returned to his second home, the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai, to begin preparations for the upcoming season.
Dhoni played the IPL 2023 with an injured knee which limited his mobility and he was often seen limping. Immediately after the season ended, he underwent surgery in Mumbai to address the concern.
Dhoni-led CSK won their fifth IPL title last year to draw level with Mumbai Indians on the most titles win list.
MSD had earlier hinted that he wanted to bring down the curtains in yellow in a special manner. However, it is not certain as to what he has planned.
The Super Kings had given the captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja in 2022 but the left-arm spinner stepped down midway through the tournament following a series of losses and handed back the leadership role to Dhoni.
Dhoni is arguably India’s greatest captainan under his leadership, India won the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup and a Champions Trophy as well as reaching the top of ICC Test rankings for the first time.
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