CSK head coach Stephen Fleming has revealed how things transpired in the dressing room when MS Dhoni announced he had decided to step down as the captain, and Ruturaj Gaikwad will take over.
The news was announced by the franchise on Thursday, a day before the start of the IPL 2024 season.
CSK said in a statement: “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.”
That Dhoni has relinquished his captaincy despite leading CSK to the title last year means that the 42-year-old is very likely to hang his boost at the end of this season.
“Typical MS Dhoni, it was very low-key”: Stephen Fleming
Fleming, who has spent his entire IPL career with MS Dhoni – as a player and then coach of CSK and Rising Pune Supergiant – said Dhoni didn’t make any grand fuss over it. He explained it was so “typical” MS Dhoni style to keep it simple and break the news with no one expecting it.
Fleming revealed there were emotional scenes as Dhoni was departing as CSK’s skipper, but everyone was happy for Ruturaj Gaikwad, who will start a new chapter in his career.
Speaking with RevSportz, CSK coach Stephen Fleming said, “Typical MS Dhoni, it was very lowkey, there were emotions but quickly the players went into a celebration for Rutu”.
He added: “It was MS Dhoni’s call with lot of consideration looking at the future. The timing was good. It’ll be a grooming process for Ruturaj.”
Gaikwad, speaking after being announced as the captain, revealed that Dhoni had already told him last year that he would be taking the reins and asked him to be ready for the job.
“Last year itself, Mahi bhai had hinted about captaincy at some point of time,” Gaikwad told IPLT20.com. “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 needs to get the ticker going immediately as the new CSK skipper as CSK host RCB on Friday at Chepauk.
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