Ruturaj Gaikwad Starting A New Legacy
In a significant development ahead of the upcoming IPL season, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has relinquished his role as the captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), with Ruturaj Gaikwad appointed as the new skipper.
Dhoni, who led CSK to 5 IPL titles, will continue to play as a member of the team for the season.
Dhoni will continue keeping the wickets and will be seen in action tonight in the premier IPL match of the 2024 season as CSK clash with RCB.
While the decision to replace the captaincy may catch some off guard, CSK has been preparing Ruturaj for this role discreetly.
Previous seasons saw efforts to appoint other players like Ravindra Jadeja and Ben Stokes as captains. However, recognizing Gaikwad’s potential, the franchise opted to groom him for the leadership position.
Gaikwad’s Journey to Leadership
Since joining CSK in 2019, Gaikwad has made significant strides in his cricketing career. He debuted in 2020 and immediately made an impact by securing three consecutive Man of the Match awards in his first three matches.
His standout performances, including winning the Orange Cap in 2021, have solidified his position as a key player in the team. During the 2022/23 domestic season, Gaikwad spent valuable time with Dhoni, laying the groundwork for the transition of leadership.
Since then, he has consistently participated in the captaincy programs organized by Stephen Fleming at the team hotel.
During the Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign, where the 27-year-old batsman led Maharashtra to the final, many of his teammates noted his resemblance to Dhoni’s leadership style.
Gaikwad took charge of various aspects, from scheduling practice sessions to organizing team outings, mirroring the way CSK operates under MS Dhoni.
Having honed his leadership skills in the Maharashtra setup, Gaikwad is now ready to fill Dhoni’s shoes.
Gaikwad’s Captaincy resembles Dhoni?
CSK’s batting coach, Mike Hussey, has commended Ruturaj for his leadership qualities and drawing parallels between him and Dhoni. Hussey, who has closely collaborated with Gaikwad, expressed confidence in the opener’s ability to lead the team.
Presenting @ChennaiIPL's Captain – @Ruutu1331 🙌🙌#TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/vt77cWXyBI
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 21, 2024
“Like Dhoni, he maintains remarkable composure, especially under pressure,” Hussey stated. “He possesses astute game-reading skills and keen observation, making him a compelling figure for others to gravitate towards. His outstanding leadership qualities are evident,” he added.
His calm demeanor and astute understanding of the game have earned him admiration from teammates and coaches alike.
‘There wasn’t a dry eye’: Dressing Room Scenes
While many anticipated the decision, it still evoked strong emotions among fans and within the CSK dressing room. As soon as the ‘Thala’ announced his decision to step down as skipper before the season began, tears welled up in the eyes of many.
Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming provided insight into the emotional scenes in the dressing room when Dhoni shared the news.
“When Dhoni broke the news, there were a lot of emotions. A whole lot of tears. There wasn’t a dry eye in the dressing room. Everyone was moved.
Last time we weren’t as prepared for MS to step aside and for a change in leadership,” Fleming recounted.
He also mentioned that there was a round of congratulations for Ruturaj Gaikwad, highlighting his leadership qualities and his potential to guide the team in the right direction.
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