Former India head coach Ravi Shastri said MS Dhoni is giving more freedom to the new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad to execute his plans as captain as Chennai Super Kings are going through a transition period before the mega auction. He also said that he expects less interference from MS Dhoni when compared to the 2021 season where Ravindra Jadeja was handed over the task of leading the Super Kings’ transition phase as well.

Notably, MS Dhoni stepped down as the captain of the Chennai Super Kings on the eve of their IPL 2024 opener against Bengaluru at home and ‘handed over’ the rein to the young Ruturaj Gaikwad. The young opener has been with the team since 2019 and he has played a key role at the top of the order.

ALSO READ: Kirti Azad welcomes BCCI’s new directive in central contract

Speaking to Star Sports ahead of Chennai’s third match of IPL 2024 against Delhi Capitals in Visakhapatnam, Ravi Shastri said, “This is MS Dhoni’s last season okay, very clear. You know depends how his body copes with everything, whether he plays the whole season or doesn’t play the whole season, only time will tell. But what he has done is that he said, ‘I don’t want to give to give the job to Ruturaj halfway through the tournament. Be in the hot seat from the outside, I am watching from the back,if he needs some help, I am there to help him out’.

READ ALSO: Michael Vaughan praises Team India after series win over England

“But, I think as compared to the year when Jadeja was captain, MS (Dhoni) will take more and more of the backseat and probably contribute just in a little way between the drinks break or something like that. But he will give him the freedom to go and express himself. But I see less interference from Dhoni and he will throw the bait to Ruturaj,” Ravi Shastri further added.

However, CSK got off to a good start with two wins and it will be interesting to see how Ruturaj plays as a captain in the upcoming games.