Former cricketer AB de Villiers feels Mahendra Singh Dhoni stepping down as Chennai Super Kings skipper ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League season is a huge mistake. The franchise has handed Ruturaj Gaikwad the leadership role.
On the eve of the season opener of the 2024 Indian Premier League, the Chennai Super Kings announced the captaincy change. Mahendra Singh Dhoni led the franchise to their fifth title last season. He has handed over the leadership baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, AB de Villiers feels it is a huge mistake. Speaking to Jio Cinema, the former South African cricketer said,
“I think it’s a huge mistake. To me, MS Dhoni is five guys in the team as captain. Will that work together? I am not sure. We will have to wait and see. I do think it’s a mistake. What happened last time is similar. I feel CSK’s all about MS Dhoni’s leadership. And his captaincy will be a mistake.”
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has led the Chennai Super Kings in 235 matches. He has won five IPL titles and two Champions League titles with the franchise. Under his leadership, they managed to reach the finals ten times, including four consecutive years from 2010 to 2013. In 2022, Ravindra Jadeja took over captaincy for the Chennai Super Kings. However, after a poor run, the all-rounder handed over the duties back to Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Last year itself, Mahendra Singh Dhoni hinted about captaincy: Ruturaj Gaikwad
The newly appointed Chennai Super Kings captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad expressed that Mahendra Singh Dhoni had hinted about captaincy change in the 2023 Indian Premier League season itself. He expressed that the wicket-keeper batter wanted him to be ready for the challenge. Speaking in a video shared by the IPL, Ruturaj Gaikwad said,
I don’t think so I need to change anything. Last year itself, Mahi Bhai had just hinted about captaincy at some point in time. He just hinted that ‘Be ready, it should not come as a surprise to you’. And when we came into the camp, he made me involved in some of the practice match simulations.”
“I remember him posting about a new role on social media. 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’, In the back of my mind it was there. A week ago he came and said I have decided this and this. Now that I am here, I am really looking forward to it,” he added.
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