Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opener Ruturaj Gaikwad would be one of the first names to be the successor of MS Dhoni as the next captain, feels former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta. Gaikwad has started off his IPL 2023 in riveting fashion, hitting back-to-back half-centuries in the first two matches. Alongside Devon Conway, Gaikwad has given brilliant starts to Chennai Super Kings, which the side was able to capitalize on, in their home against KL Rahul’s Lucknow Super Giants.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo after Chennai’s game against Lucknow, Deep Dasgupta showered huge praises on Ruturaj Gaikwad for his technique and clean hitting and said that the player was a joy to watch. Dasgupta argued that Gaikwad would be one of the first player to become the next captain of CSK after MS Dhoni because the batter had been at CSK for three years.

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Deep Dasgupta said, “He has been playing at CSK for the last three seasons and knows the philosophies and templates of the franchise well. Chennai as a franchise would want their next captain to fit in their philosophy and not the other way around. And according to me, he has already fit in that philosophy.”

Chennai’s plan to replace Dhoni with Jadeja went wrong in 2022 when the all-rounder looked clueless more often than not in the captaincy role.

Jadeja left the position midway through the IPL after pressure mounted on him and CSK was forced to bring back MS Dhoni as the captain. Chennai invested big money in England Test skipper, Ben Stokes, possibly in the hopes to have a player with leadership quality in the group.

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Chennai has other options in Deepak Chahar and Moeen Ali, who have been loyal servants to the franchise for multiple years. Chennai will next take on Mumbai Indians on 8 April.