 "MS Dhoni handed over the Chennai Super Kings captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad just a day before IPL 2024. PTI image")
A new chapter for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Ruturaj Gaikwad begins when CSK take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season opener on Friday. MS Dhoni relinquished CSK’s leadership duties just a day ahead of the IPL 2024 season opener and handed over the captaincy to Gaikwad.
Speaking about his new role, Gaikwad said that he is relaxed about the new opportunity and will not look to change anything about his own game. In a recent video shared by the IPL’s social media handles, the new captain also said that Dhoni had advised him not to be surprised when he was given the captaincy role and that he was being included in certain practice match simulations.
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“I don’t think I need to change anything. Last year itself, Mahi bhai had just hinted about captaincy at some point in time. Just hinted that ‘be ready, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you. So when we came into the camp, obviously he made involved in some of the practice match simulation,” said Ruturaj in the video shared by IPL on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
A few weeks before the IPL 2024 season, Dhoni had made a post where he shared his excitement about a ‘new role’. This sparked speculation and Gaikwad too was asked by people if he was to be the new captain.
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Gaikwad, who does have prior experience of captaining, said that Dhoni gave clarity about the change a week later and now, he is fully aware of this new leadership role and he is ‘definitely looking forward to it.’
“Feeling is great. There are two reasons. First of all, I will be part of such a wonderful franchise, right from my IPL journey started. To be able to be trusted by MS Dhoni for the leadership role, speaks a lot,” he added. Gaikwad also said that he has now been part of the Chennai-based franchise since he was a young player and understands the mantra and the reason behind the success. “What kind of things this franchise go through of Mahi bhai does, the management or the support staff does. I wouldn’t like to change a single bit of it,” he further said.