Former CSK batsman Ambati Rayudu reckons MS Dhoni will identify the next CSK captain this season as the IPL 2024 is very likely going to be his last tournament.
MS Dhoni will be 43 years old in July this year. Last year, he had hinted a couple of times that he wished to play one more season in the IPL to bid adieu to all the venues and fans.
Ambati Rayudu, who retired after last year’s tournament after winning his sixth IPL title, believes that Dhoni could even play a few games as an Impact Player this year, which would allow him to groom the next captain for the franchise.
Speaking on Star Sports, Rayudu said, “With the impact player rule, he can take a backseat and promote someone else to captain their side in the middle. This might be a year of transition for CSK if it’s his last year.
“If he decides to play for a few more years, he would remain the captain. I personally would like to see him captain.”
CSK had aimed for this transition in IPL 2022 when they named Ravindra Jadeja as the skipper. However, that move failed with CSK winning only two out of their first eight games under Jadeja before MS Dhoni took back the captaincy.
Even if he is 10% fit, MS Dhoni will play the full season: Rayudu
Last season, Dhoni battled a knee injury but played the entire season without missing a single game. Soon after winning the title, Dhoni underwent knee surgery. He is now recovered and ready to go.
Rayudu hailed Dhoni’s fitness and commitment to the franchise by saying, “Even if he is 10% fit, he will play the full season. Knowing him, he will not let injury keep him out of the game. Even last season he was playing with a very bad knee injury, so I don’t think anything will stop him from playing the full season.”
The IPL 2024 will kick off on March 22 at Chepauk, with CSK hosting Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli’s RCB.
Also read: WPL 2024: Ellyse Perry Receives The Car Glass She Broke As A Gift
