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MS Dhoni dropped the bomb on his and Chennai Super Kings fans as he announced the decision to leave captaincy ahead of the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season on Thursday. The decision allowed Ruturaj Gaikwad to take up the leadership role. While it was on the eve of the the IPL 2024 opener that Dhoni confirmed his decision, he had hinted Ruturaj about the potential change in command last year. In a chat after officially taking over the CSK captaincy, Ruturaj admitted that he knew this decision was coming.
“Last year itself, Mahi bhai had hinted about captaincy at some point of time. Just hinted saying be ready, it should not come as a surprise. When we came into the camp, he made me involve in some of the practice match simulations. I remember him posting about new role on social media. Everybody was pointing towards me and asking if he (Ruturaj) was the new captain,” he said in a video posted by IPL.
“I was like, maybe it meant something else on social media. Back of the mind, it was there. Now that I am here, I am really looking forward to it,” said the new CSK skipper.
.@ChennaiIPL fans, meet your new Captain!
The newly appointed #CSK skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad, shares what this new opportunity means to him – By @RajalArora#TATAIPL | #CSKvRCB pic.twitter.com/PS1qfGH2n9
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2024
Gaikwad met Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Faf du Plessis on the eve of the season opener. The two had a candid chat about his things have evolved over the last few years. The two rubbed shoulders at CSK not long ago and will now be competing against each other as captains in the IPL.
“I met Faf and told him, a few years ago who would’ve thought you would’ve been playing for RCB, you and me sharing the stage at toss. A lot to look forward to. It is one of the most exciting first-day games to look forward to,” he said.
Gaikwad might be the one leading CSK this season but he will have MS Dhoni’s wise shoulders to lean on whenever the need arises. Not just Dhoni, the opening batter is glad to have the counsel of Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja available.
“To be trusted by MS Dhoni for a leadership role, that speaks a lot. Right from Day 1, I liked how this franchise has worked throughout the years. I got to know the real mantra behind success, the kind of things this franchise and Mahi bhai go through. I wouldn’t like to change a single bit of it. That’s a great backbone to have him in the team. I have Ajju bhai (Ajinkya Rahane) as well, Jaddu bhai (Ravindra Jadeja) as well. A lot of options to look around.
“I don’t think I need to change anything. Just give the kind of freedom the players want and everything will be fine,” he concluded.
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