IPL 2024: ‘He can take a back seat…’ Ambati Rayudu’s suggestion for CSK skipper MS Dhoni

Legendary India skipper MS Dhoni is set to make his highly-anticipated return to the cricket field in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Many believe that this might be the final time we see Thala don the bright yellow jersey of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), given that he will turn 43 just over a month after the conclusion of IPL 2024. Though, history bears witness to the fact that Dhoni’s next moves are almost tough to guess, with the wicketkeeper-batter having a knack for making shocking and unforeseen decisions.

All things considered, Dhoni’s former CSK teammate Ambati Rayudu has chimed in on the discussion regarding the legendary cricketer’s potential future in the IPL and what we can expect from him this season. According to Rayudu, Dhoni could take a reduced role to groom someone younger as the captain.

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“With the impact player rule, he can take a back seat and promote someone to captain their side in the middle," Ambati Rayudu predicted in an appearance on Star Sports’ ‘Press Room'.

“So this year might be a transition year for CSK if it’s his last year. If he decides to play for a few more years, I think he would be the captain. I would personally like to see him as a captain,” he added.

Before his comeback, Dhoni had a difficult few months. After undergoing knee surgery last year, there were a lot of rumors about his availability to play in the 2024 edition of the competition. Though Dhoni, 42, defied the odds by joining the CSK camp earlier this month, it is apparent that playing more will only cause his knees to deteriorate.

CSK will play the opening game of IPL 2024 on 2 March, when they will face southern rivals Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

CSK full squad for IPL 2024: MS Dhoni (c), Moeen Ali, Deepak Chahar, Devon Conway, Tushar Deshpande, Shivam Dube, Ruturaj Gaikwad, 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.