The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have established themselves as one of the most dominant franchises in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, clinching the coveted title five times. Their passionate fan base follows them wherever they play, and at the heart of this unwavering support is none other than MS Dhoni.
However, Dhoni has stepped away from the captaincy role, passing the baton to young opener Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad took on the responsibility last season, a move that initially surprised many but has since been widely accepted. Experts and former players have weighed in on this leadership transition, praising both Dhoni’s strategic foresight and Gaikwad’s ability to handle the responsibility.
Former Indian captain Anil Kumble and ex-opener Aakash Chopra shared their thoughts on Gaikwad’s captaincy. Kumble drew parallels between Gaikwad’s situation and Rohit Sharma’s early days as Mumbai Indians captain, stating, “When Rohit became captain, he had legends around him. It depends on how an individual embraces the responsibility, and I thought Ruturaj handled it really well.”
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Aakash Chopra highlighted Dhoni’s exceptional leadership style, emphasizing how smoothly the transition has been handled. “When a legendary captain is still on the field, it can be either reassuring or overwhelming for the new leader. But Dhoni ensures the transition is seamless without overshadowing Ruturaj,” Chopra remarked.
Not just experts, but former CSK stars have also lauded the decision. Shane Watson, a key figure in CSK’s 2018 title win, and Robin Uthappa, a two-time IPL champion, believe Gaikwad is the right man for the job.
“CSK had a fantastic 2023 season, and the timing felt right to pass on the leadership. Ruturaj has a calm demeanor, quite similar to Dhoni’s. He is evolving as a leader, and with time, his performances will reflect that growth,” Robin Uthappa said.
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Watson echoed similar sentiments, adding, “Ruturaj has done an excellent job. The pressure of having Dhoni around hasn’t affected his batting, which speaks volumes about how well CSK’s leadership transition is working.”
With Gaikwad at the helm and Dhoni still guiding from behind the stumps, CSK’s future looks as promising as ever.
