CSK announced that opening batter Gaikwad will take over the captaincy reins from Dhoni.

In 2022, CSK entered the IPL with Jadeja as their skipper but it was a move that backfired, with Dhoni taking back the captaincy role

Chennai Super Kings were not ready to move on from MS Dhoni despite appointing Ravindra Jadeja as their skipper in IPL 2022, admitted head coach Stephen Fleming after the five-time winners made the leadership change with Ruturaj Gaikwad taking charge, on Thursday. On the eve of the IPL 2024 season-opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore, CSK announced that opening batter Gaikwad will take over the captaincy reins from Dhoni.

“(The) last time MS (had) left captaincy, (it) was shocking to us and we weren’t aware that MS would step down. But this time we knew,” Fleming said.

“MS has done well in the practice games and I hope that we will have his services for the rest of the season,” he said.  Former India cricketer CD Gopinath on Thursday backed MS Dhoni’s decision to step down as Chennai Super Kings skipper and hand over the reins to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the Indian Premier League. The 94-year-old Gopinath, who began his Test career with knocks of 50 not out and 42 against England in 1951, said it is a wise move to relinquish captaincy and nurture a younger star to take the team forward.

“We have been working hard to prepare leaders. We have been slow on life after MS Dhoni. But trusting the youngsters has paid off well for us. I have already had a word with the youngsters like Rutu (Gaekwad) about leadership and captaincy. It is a great opportunity for him to lead the team,” Fleming said.

Fleming said Dhoni had looked promising in practice matches in the lead up to the IPL and hoped he would not have any fitness-related issues during the tournament.

(This story has not been edited by News Mania staff and is published from a Syndicate Feeds)