Ahead of CSK’s first match of the IPL 2022 season, MS Dhoni dropped a bombshell by announcing his decision of stepping down from CSK’s captaincy role. MS Dhoni hands over the captaincy role to all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.
MS Dhoni Stepped Down as CSK Captain
Many expected that MS Dhoni might step down or might retire from the IPL, post the completion of the 2022 season. MS Dhoni’s decision of stepping down from the captaincy role that too with days left for their first match shocked the whole CSK fan family.
But for god’s sake, MS Dhoni remains as a CSK player and will play the IPL 2022 season as a player of playing 11. From this move, we can understand that Dhoni might bring down the curtain over his IPL career soon.
Dhoni has captained in 204 matches in the IPL, winning 121, losing 82 and one match ended in a no-result with a win percentage of 59.60. He also gathered 4456 runs as a captain in the tournament and was a part of the Rising Pune Supergiants for two seasons in 2016 and 2017.
Under Dhoni, Chennai won four IPL titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2021 as well as two Champions League T20 titles in 2010 and 2014. He captained Chennai for 12 seasons and the team reached nine IPL finals — the most by any other franchise. Dhoni captained CSK in 190 games and led them to 116 wins with a win percentage of 61.37.
Dhoni also flaunts the record of most games as captain in the lucrative T20 league. He leads the list with 204 games, followed by Virat Kohli (140 matches) and Gautam Gambhir-Rohit Sharma with 129 matches each.
Dhoni is second on the list of most successful IPL captains. He’s also second in terms of runs scored as IPL captain. Kohli leads the panel with 4881 runs in 140 games. Dhoni has got 4456 runs to his name in 204 games at an average of over 40.
Dhoni is currently the eighth-highest run-getter in the history of the IPL. As a keeper, Dhoni has the most dismissals (161) in the league with 122 catches and 39 stumpings under his belt.
R Jadeja-led CSK will open the IPL 2022 season with the match against KKR on March 26, 2022, in Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Cricketers Reaction on MS Dhoni’s Decision
This move from former CSK captain starts to receive many emotional reactions from fans and as well as from many current and former cricketers and commentators.
Check how cricketers reacted to MS Dhoni’s sudden announcement of stepping down from CSK’s captaincy role:
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli – Virat has a special place for MS Dhoni in his heart under whom Kohli first played for India, and then he was also the one who had taken over the reins of Test match captaincy from Dhoni.
That’s why when MS Dhoni stepped down from the position, Kohli too came out with a tweet, saying that it might be the beginning of a new chapter, but fans will not forget that.
Former Indian captain Virat Kohli took to his official Twitter handle and posted “Legendary captaincy tenure in yellow skip. A chapter fans will never forget. Respect always.”
Legendary captaincy tenure in yellow skip. A chapter fans will never forget. Respect always. ❤️💛 @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/cz5AWkJV9S
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 24, 2022
Michael Vaughan
Former England cricketer reacts to MS Dhoni’s decision and wrote: “Can think of a better replacement skipper for MS Dhoni than the Rockstar @imjadeja!! #IPL2022 “
Can think of a better replacement skipper for MS Dhoni than the Rockstar @imjadeja !! #IPL2022
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 24, 2022
Robin Uthappa
Current CSK teammate Robin Uthappa writes: You have always led by example, captain @msdhoni Thank you for the incredible memories on and off the field. Big shoes to fill in @imjadeja I’m sure you’ll be fantastic in this new role. Congratulations
You have always led by example, captain @msdhoni Thank you for the incredible memories on and off the field🤗. Big shoes to fill in @imjadeja I’m sure you’ll be fantastic in this new role. Congratulations 🎉 pic.twitter.com/aBUw63jDDR
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) March 24, 2022
Virender Sehwag
Former Indian opening batsman Virender Sehwag who also shared a bond with MS Dhoni while playing for team India shared a “One of the great stories of the brand that is Indian Premier League. Thala Dhoni and Chennai will remain a connection like very few. Chennai was fortunate to have a leader like him and the support and love he has got from owners and the city has been unbelievable”.
One of the great stories of the brand that is Indian Premier League. Thala Dhoni and Chennai will remain a connection like very few. Chennai was fortunate to have a leader like him and the support and love he has got from owners and the city has been unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/aQ4JUbDLcs
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) March 24, 2022
IPL Official Twitter Handle
Indian Premier Leagues’ official Twitter handle even posted a mash-up video with CSK’s IPL trophy receiving moments and wrote “The man. The legacy. MS Dhoni”
The man. The legacy. MS Dhoni 💛💛@msdhoni | #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/sXu3LHgnIN
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 24, 2022
