India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad will be making his Indian Premier League captaincy debut for the Chennai Super Kings as they take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2024 season opener on Friday, March 22 in Chennai. He was appointed the captain on the eve of the match, taking the leadership baton from Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Ruturaj Gaikwad revealed that the wicket-keeper batter had hinted to him last season that he should be ready for the leadership role. He also spoke about Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Facebook post about a “new role”, which had gone viral. In a video shared by the IPL on social media, Ruturaj Gaikwad expressed,
“I don’t think so I need to change anything. Last year itself, Mahi Bhai had just hinted about captaincy at some point of 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.”
.@ChennaiIPL fans, meet your new Captain! 😎
The newly appointed #CSK skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad, shares what this new opportunity means to him 💛 – By @RajalArora#TATAIPL | #CSKvRCB pic.twitter.com/PS1qfGH2n9
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2024
Looking forward to the challenge: Ruturaj Gaikwad
Chennai Super Kings’ newly appointed captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is looking forward to the challenge in the 2024 Indian Premier League season. He expressed that it feels great to be trusted by Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the leadership role. Gaikwad also acknowledged the presence of veteran players, including the wicket-keeper in the team. He said,
“It feels great for two reasons, first of all, to be part of such a wonderful franchise. Right from where my IPL journey started, and to be able to be trusted by MS Dhoni for a leadership role, speaks a lot. The challenge lies ahead so looking forward to it.”
“It is a great backbone to have him still on the field. I have Ajju Bhai (Ajinkya Rahane) as well, I have Jaddu Bhai (Ravindra Jadeja) as well. So lot of options to look around. I don’t think I need to change anything, just the players the freedom they want and everything will be fine,” he further added.
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