Former Indian cricketer and IPL veteran Ambati Rayudu recently shared his thoughts on who should lead the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) once MS Dhoni eventually steps down from the captaincy role. With MS Dhoni, the iconic leader, now 42 years old, speculation is rife about the future captaincy of the CSK franchise.

During an appearance on the popular YouTube podcast, the Ranveer Show, Ambati Rayudu addressed the question of succession planning at CSK. When asked if there have been discussions within the franchise about the post-Dhoni era, Rayudu responded, “It’s scary but, ideally, it should be Rutu (Ruturaj Gaikwad), so let’s see.”

ALSO READ: Muttiah Muralitharan Backs Rohit Sharma For T20 World Cup 2024, Highlighting Fitness

Ambati Rayudu expressed confidence that there wouldn’t be a significant shift in the team’s dynamics post-Dhoni. He stated, “I still see him with CSK in some capacity, holding things together. I’m sure it will remain the same, the core culture and what CSK is about.”

The choice of the next captain for CSK has been a topic of speculation. Ravindra Jadeja was appointed captain during the 2022 season, but after a challenging run where the team lost six out of eight games, the all-rounder stepped down from the role, and MS Dhoni resumed captaincy duties. The team went on to secure the 2023 IPL title, with Jadeja playing a pivotal role by hitting the winning runs in the finals against Gujarat Titans, securing their fifth IPL title.

ALSO READ: Ambati Rayudu’s Cricket Journey: From IPL Stardom To International Disappointment

As CSK approaches the retention deadline on November 26, 2023, followed by a mini-auction, the team will make strategic decisions to revamp their squad for the upcoming IPL season. Franchises will have the opportunity to bid for players in the auction, and CSK will aim to strengthen their squad in their pursuit of another IPL title.