It meant a lot to me when MS Dhoni trusted me: The captain of CSK, Ruturaj Gaikwad

Before the 2024 tournament, the famous captain MS Dhoni handed management of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to Ruturaj Gaikwad, marking a significant shift in leadership. The talks began immediately following the team’s 2023 IPL winning season, which took the young opener by surprise.

A decline in individual form coincided with a poor start to the Maharashtra batter’s captaincy career. In a rare misfire, CSK lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a game that was crucial to their chances of making the playoffs. The Super Kings think tank hasn’t been compelled to consider other possibilities, though, and Ruturaj will still be the team’s captain in the 2025 Indian Premier League.

“MS Dhoni approached me a week prior to the tournament last year and told me, ‘You are leading this year, not me.'” “From the first game?” I asked, surprised. Are you certain? It was stressful to have only a few days to prepare. “This is your team,” he said, reassuring me. You are the one who decides. Except in situations where field placements are a 50/50 call, I won’t get involved. Even yet, you are under no obligation to heed my advise. I really valued that trust,” Gaikwad said on JioHotstar.

Star all-rounder Shane Watson was an unexpected addition to Chennai’s roster because of his dismal performance with Bengaluru in the previous tournament. But Watto’s contributions across all departments in the Chennai camp, as well as Dhoni’s call to bring him in, helped CSK pull off one of the best comebacks in IPL history.

Given Dhoni’s level of faith in him, Watson likened the current state of affairs to Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is now the pack leader.

Given his amazing leadership abilities, I was a little taken aback when Dhoni gave Ruturaj the captaincy. However, he is aware of how crucial a smooth transition is, and it is preferable for that to take place while he is still present to lead the group. The amazing thing is that MS Dhoni is still producing brilliant moments at the age of 42. Watson admitted that even though his job is now more restricted, his influence on the team—and particularly the supporters—remains priceless.

The cricket player-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra also offered his thoughts on the Ranchi-born player no longer serving as the team’s captain. Chopra also shared his thoughts on Dhoni’s batting position from the previous season, stating that he typically batted at number eight or lower.

People begin to wonder, “MS Dhoni is batting low, Dhoni is no longer captain—was he just occupying a place?” when your season doesn’t go well. I don’t see it that way myself. Holding the hand of the next monarch in line is, in my opinion, a key component of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s and the Chennai Super Kings’ plan.

On Sunday, March 23, CSK will play the Mumbai Indians in the opening match of their IPL 2025 campaign. According to reports, Dhoni will play in the event one final time before retiring, and the opening match for both rivals would be an El Clásico match.