Former Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni deciding to step down as captain has sparked debates all over the country with many fans upset with the fact that their former Indian captain won’t lead the team in what could be his final season this year.
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Much like some of the fans and pundits, AB de Villiers, a prominent figure in South African cricket, believes that MS Dhoni’s decision to step down as captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) just before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is a significant error as well. It’s worth noting that Dhoni passed the captaincy of the Chennai Super Kings to the young opener Ruturaj Gaikwad on Thursday, March 21. As Dhoni approaches 43 in July, there have been speculations that the IPL 2024 might mark his final season as a player.
AB de Villiers Issues Warning To CSK
“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,” AB de Villiers told JioCinema.
Newly appointed skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad also had his say on the issue.
“Last year itself, Mahi bhai had hinted about captaincy at some point of time. He just hinted that, ‘be ready, it shouldn’t be a surprise to you’. When we came into the camp, he involved me in some of the match simulation.” Gaikwad told IPLT20.com
While the transition came suddenly and unexpectedly, considering Dhoni’s career approach, it wasn’t entirely surprising. Earlier on March 4, he cryptically mentioned on social media about looking forward to the new season and a new ‘role,’ hinting at changes to come.
Over the years, Dhoni has been a stalwart for CSK, leading them in 235 out of 249 games across various competitions, guiding them to multiple titles and consistently strong performances. He also led the Rising Pune Supergiant during CSK’s suspension from the IPL, accumulating a total of 226 IPL games as captain, significantly surpassing Rohit Sharma’s tally of 158.
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