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The defending champions in Chennai Super Kings revealed Ruturaj Gaikwad as the captain of the side for the upcoming edition of the tournament, taking over the reins from MS Dhoni. However, this seemed to be a massive news with the tournament just hours away, it also raised speculations on MS Dhoni’s future.
The former Indian wicketkeeper-batter and one of the most successful captains of the side to have led India to three ICC titles, is currently the second oldest Indian to feature in the cash-rich league. Speaking of MS Dhoni’s decision to step down, former India cricketer Kirti Azad took time to decode and speak of MS Dhoni’s future.
Hinting that he could play the next edition also if he performs well, Kirti Azad said while speaking to Times of India, “It’s his personal decision. Maybe he wants to play freely now, not being a captain, if he had agreed to keep playing in the IPL.”
“It completely depends on his fitness and his frame of mind. If he has quit captaincy, that mean he wants to enjoy as a player and not have the pressure of a captain. If he does well, I am sure he would like to carry on,” the 1983 World Cup winning member told TOI in an interview.
It is to be noted that it is not the first time MS Dhoni has stepped down for CSK captaincy. Earlier in IPL 2022, Dhoni handed over the leadership role to Ravindra Jadeja and was handed over the captaincy again after Jadeja succumbed to the pressure. The 42-year-old then led the Chennai-based franchise to their fifth title in 2023 and will eye to defend it this year.
..he can be a good captain: Kirti Azad speaks of Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of CSK’s opener
The 1983 World Cup winning all-rounder Kirti Azad in an interview with Times of India also spoke of Ruturaj Gaikwad’s credibility as CSK captain. The 65-year-old cricketer turned politician feels that Dhoni’s presence by Gaikwad’s side can help in a lot of ways.
“There are good young cricketers with good brains. If he has a good cricketing brain and knows how to strategize, he can be a good captain. Ruturaj would never feel the pressure (of leading Dhoni) because I would say that Dhoni is one of the best captains India have produced. And look at him, how he took the team along, and how he carried it forward,” Azad said.
“Dhoni would be an asset to Ruturaj’s captaincy because he will guide him whenever he needs guidance. And Dhoni I a very helpful man in that way,” he further added.
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