Ruturaj Gaikwad, the newly appointed Chennai Super Kings captain, has disclosed that his predecessor, MS Dhoni, hinted at a possible leadership change last year. Just one day before the opening of IPL 2024, the shift was indeed made with Dhoni turning up the captaincy to Gaikwad while remaining a player.
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 IPLT20.com. "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.
Earlier this month, Dhoni had put up a curious post on social media announcing that he would be taking up a '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 now that I'm here, I'm looking forward to this.
Although the 27-year-old was first signed by CSK in 2019, he was not given any opportunity until the 2020 campaign. After initially failing to establish himself in the middle order and losing his spot, he made a comeback to the playing eleven towards the conclusion of the season, where he opened the innings with three consecutive fifties. Since then, he has been a crucial member of the XI, has taken home two championships, and won the Orange Cap in 2021.
Feels great, I think two reasons," Gaikwad said looking back at the journey. "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 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.
The season's first matchup between CSK and an RCB team captained by former opening partner Faf du Plessis will be Gaikwad's first assignment as the team's full-time leader. They both smashed almost 600 runs in CSK's 2021 title-winning campaign.
"I just met Faf in the (captains) meeting and said, 'Who would've thought a few years down the line, you playing for RCB and leading RCB, you and me sharing the stage at the toss'," Gaikwad said. "A lot to look forward to. It is one of the most exciting first-day games to look forward to."
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