Renowned Indian cricketer MS Dhoni is expected to retire from the Indian Premier League after the ongoing 17th season. While he bid adieu to international cricket in August 2020, his IPL journey continued. Speculations about Dhoni’s retirement gained momentum when he passed on the captaincy of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to Ruturaj Gaikwad before the IPL 2024 opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Reports suggest that CSK is preparing for a seamless transition in Dhoni’s presence as a player, hinting at his retirement at the end of the season.
CSK and Dhoni have a strong bond, and it is anticipated that the World Cup-winning captain will play a significant role in the franchise post his retirement as a player. Despite a failed attempt at leadership transition in the 2022 season, CSK is optimistic about Gaikwad taking over the reins this time. Dhoni, who underwent knee surgery after the last season, is expected to play a more prominent role in the batting order this season.
Having played 250 IPL matches and scoring over 5000 runs at a strike rate of 135.92, Dhoni’s contribution to CSK is commendable. He led CSK to multiple victories in the Champions League T20 and five IPL titles. With a stellar record as a captain, Dhoni’s win-loss ratio in the IPL ranks among the top three, showcasing his leadership prowess.
Now, the onus is on Ruturaj Gaikwad to carry forward the legacy of CSK under Dhoni’s mentorship. Gaikwad, who debuted for CSK in 2020, has shown promise with his impressive performances in the past seasons. His remarkable batting record and experience in captaincy at the domestic and international levels make him a suitable candidate to lead the team in the future.
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