The head coach Stephen Fleming opened on the CSK Captaincy change and revealed that it was MS Dhoni’s call to step down from the position ahead of the IPL 2024.
Stephen Fleming on CSK Captaincy Change
Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has spoken about the captaincy change on the eve of the start of IPL 2024. Just a day ahead of the start of the IPL 2024, the franchise has named Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK’s captain for the upcoming season.
Gaikwad was one of the most impressive batters in the CSK’s batters in the last few seasons. He has amassed 1797 runs in IPL in 52 matches with an average of 39.07.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of their opener match against RCB, Fleming revealed that it was MS Dhoni‘s call to step down from captaincy and hand it over to Gaikwad.
“It was MS Dhoni’s call with a lot of consideration looking at the future. The timing was good. It’ll be a grooming process for Ruturaj. We weren’t ready to move away from MS in 2022.”
“Dhoni has a good sense of the game, but we want to develop the young players for the role. We are well prepared this time,” said Fleming.
Thala Shows us the Rutu! 🦁💛#WhistlePodu #Yellove pic.twitter.com/eKaUgq2Hwu
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 21, 2024
CSK made new six signings during IPL 2024 auction, bringing in Rachin Ravindra, Shardul Thakur, Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi, Mustafizur Rahman, and Avanish Rao Aravelly.
Despite the franchise suffering a major setback with opener Devon Conway ruled out of the first half due to injury. The franchise will be missing the services of the leading run-scorer of the previous edition. He scored 672 runs in 16 matches with an average of 51.69 and a strike rate of 139.70.
Meanwhile, Matheesha Pathirana who picked 19 wickets in 12 matches during the ODI World Cup 2023 will be missing the first part of the IPL 2024 due to hamstring injury.
Coming to the tournament, the first match of the tournament will feature the clash between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday. Apart from these TOS has also updated the probable playing 11 of CSK for the opening match.
There will be a grand opening ceremony staged before cricketing action at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
