IPL 2024: Ruturaj Gaikwad replaces MS Dhoni as captain of Chennai Super Kings

Published at :March 21, 2024 at 3:57 PM

Modified at :March 21, 2024 at 8:16 PM

Ruturaj Gaikwad will be leading Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2024.

Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 opener, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have shocked the whole cricket world with the news of opener Ruturaj Gaikwad replacing five-time IPL-winning captain MS Dhoni as captain of the team. The development was confirmed on the IPL’s official social media handle.

The 42-year-old Dhoni has won a record five titles as CSK captain, including his triumph last year after crushing the Gujarat Titans in the final of IPL 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The legendary skipper also confirmed that he would return for the 2024 edition, effectively ending doubts about his retirement.

MS Dhoni has handed over captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad: CSK

Following a post on X (formerly Twitter) from IPL on Gaikwad becoming CSK captain, the franchise confirmed the same in a official media release.

“MS Dhoni has handed over Chennai Super Kings’ captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the start of TATA IPL 2024. Ruturaj has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings since 2019 and has played 52 matches in IPL during this period. The team looks forward to the upcoming season.” stated CSK in the release.

MS Dhoni has played 250 IPL games, amassing more than 5,000 runs at an average of above 35. Dhoni has smashed 24 half-centuries till now in the cash-rich league. He has led CSK in 226 IPL matches, won 133 and lost 91.

Building up to IPL 2024, CSK signed six players in the mini-auction, including Rachin Ravindra (Rs. 1.8 crore), Shardul Thakur (Rs. 4 crore), Daryl Mitchell (Rs. 14 crore), Sameer Rizvi (Rs. 8.40 crore), Mustafizur Rahman (Rs. 2 crore), and Avanish Rao Aravelly (Rs. 20 lakh).

Dhoni announced his international retirement on August 15, 2020. He led India to the T20 World Cup title in 2007, the ODI Cricket World Cup in 2011 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.

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