The CSK star Ruturaj Gaikwad who was named the captain of the franchise, has revealed MS Dhoni’s statement regarding the captaincy switch last year.
MS Dhoni Dropped Hint on CSK Captaincy on Last IPL, says Ruturaj Gaikwad
Just before the start of the IPL 2024 on Match 22, MS Dhoni stepped down from captaincy and the franchise named Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK’s captain for IPL 2024.
With many talks being made on the captaincy switch, Ruturaj revealed that MS Dhoni has hinted about captaincy during last year itself.
“I don’t think I need to change anything. Last year itself, Mahi bhai had just hinted about captaincy at some point in time,” Gaikwad told the media.
“Just hinted that, ‘be ready, it shouldn’t be a surprise to you’. When we came into the camp, obviously he made me involved in some of the practice match simulations.”
Recently, MS Dhoni took his Facebook handle to hint at his new role. “I remember him posting about a new role on social media and everybody was just pointing towards me and asking me whether ‘you are the next captain?’
“I was like, ‘Maybe it meant something else for social media’. Back of the mind, it was there. I would say just a week (before) we came and he said, ‘I’ve decided this and this’, but definitely now that I’m here, I’m really looking forward to this.”
The 27-year-old was first signed by CSK in 2019 but made his IPL debut in 2020. He initially struggled to make a mark in the middle order and lost his place.
He returned to the playing 11 at the back end of the season and opened the innings smashing three fifties on the trot.
“Feels great, I think two reasons,” said Gaikwad. “First of all to be part of this wonderful franchise right from when my IPL journey started and then to be trusted by MS Dhoni for a leadership role obviously speaks a lot. The challenge lies ahead and I’m looking forward to it.
“Right from day one, I liked how this particular franchise works throughout the year, I kind of got to know the real mantra, the reasons behind their success, what kind of things the franchise goes through, what Mahi bhai does, the management or the support staff does.”
“I wouldn’t like to change a single bit of it. For me, he (Dhoni) is a great backbone to have still on the field. I have Ajju (Ajinkya Rahane) bhai and Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) bhai as well, so definitely a lot of options to look around.”
“I don’t think I’ll need to change anything. Just give the kind of freedom the players want and I think everything will be fine.”
Gaikwad will be leading the side for the first time as full-time captain in the upcoming IPL. CSK will be facing RCB in the first match of the tournament which is set to follow the grand opening ceremony at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
