IPL 2024: "Just before.." CSK CEO reveals when MS Dhoni decided to step down as captain

MS Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles.

In a shocking turn of events, legendary captain MS Dhoni stepped away from the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) leadership role just before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Star batter Ruturaj Gaikwad will be the new captain of the five-time champions CSK, as confirmed by the franchise.

The IPL 2024 is all set to begin on March 22 with a blockbuster Southern Derby clash between CSK and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. With five-time winning skipper Dhoni handing over his captaincy duties to Gaikwad, the 2024 edition will mark the new area of the prestigious tournament and also for the five-time champions CSK.

“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 on March 21.

In IPL 2023, Dhoni led CSK to their record-equalling fifth IPL title win as they hammered the Gujarat Titans in the final at the Narendra Modi International Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, the 42-year-old also ended doubts about his retirement by confirming he would return for the 2024 edition.

During the IPL 2023, Dhoni was seen having issues with his knee. Soon after the cash-rich league ended, Dhoni underwent knee surgery in Mumbai last year.

CSK CEO reveals when MS Dhoni handed over the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad

Under Dhoni’s leadership, CSK won a record five IPL titles and two Champions League T20 trophies, CSK also qualified for playoffs in 12 IPL seasons and played the IPL finals 10 times in 14 seasons they’ve played so far. Dhoni’s legendary era as captain saw him lead the side in 226 matches in the IPL and emerge victorious in 133 of those.

CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said that he got to know the change in leadership role just before the captain’s meeting on Thursday. The CSK CEO further added that the franchise has to respect Dhoni’s decision as it is in the best interest of the team, and it’s his call to hand over the leadership role to Ruturaj.

“Whatever Dhoni does, it is in the best interest of the team. I got to know of the decision just before the captains’ meeting. You have to respect his decision, it is his call,” CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan told PTI.

Chennai Super Kings updated IPL 2024 squad

Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), MS Dhoni, Moeen Ali, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Shivam Dube, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajay Mandal, Mukesh Choudhary, Matheesha Pathirana, Ajinkya Rahane, Shaik Rasheed, Mitchell Santner, Simarjeet Singh, Nishant Sindhu, Prashant Solanki, Maheesh Theekshana, Rachin Ravindra, Shardul Thakur, Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi, Mustafizur Rahman, Avanish Rao Aravelly, Devon Conway.

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