The news which took over all the attention from the IPL opener was former Indian captain MS Dhoni handing over the CSK captaincy to his teammate Ruturaj Gaikwad just one day before the start of IPL 2024. The news sent shockwaves in the cricket world again as fans wanted Captain Cool to lead the team in what could be his final season with the defending champions. However, this isn’t the first time that Thala has given the CSK captaincy to a fellow teammate.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT: MS Dhoni hands over captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad. #WhistlePodu #Yellove
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 21, 2024
Last year MS Dhoni decided to hand over the captaincy to one of his favourite teammates Ravindra Jadeja in what was also a shock move for the CSK fans. Dhoni had temporarily passed on the captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja at the beginning of the 2022 season. Nonetheless, Dhoni resumed his role as captain after eight matches after the team saw a miserable spell under Jadeja which eventually saw the team go rock bottom in the league table.
𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞!
The #TATAIPL is here and WE are ready to ROCK & ROLL 🎉🥳🥁
Presenting the 9 captains with PBKS being represented by vice-captain Jitesh Sharma. pic.twitter.com/v3fyo95cWI
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 21, 2024
With Dhoni taking back the reigns in crisis mode, he transferred his coolness to the team and got back some wins which were much needed for the side. Chennai had to finish in the bottom two of the table that year. However, the main message which the cricketing world witnessed that year was that changing the leadership role with someone who has won everything the sport has offer in the past doesn’t always go your way.
Also Read: IPL 2024: MS Dhoni To Not Captain Chennai Super Kings This Season, IPL’s Shocking Revelation