Ravindra Jadeja’s memorable whip down the leg side for Chennai Super Kings in last year’s IPL final signaled a change as MS Dhoni, now 42, returns from knee surgery with a new look of long hair. In a surprise move, Dhoni transferred captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad just before the tournament opener. This transition could mark the end of Dhoni’s successful stint as CSK captain, where he led the team to five titles.
Although Dhoni and Kohli won’t be present at the toss for the opening match, they remain symbolic figures in the cricket world. Rishabh Pant is set to make a comeback as Delhi Capitals captain after recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident over a year ago.
Several players, including Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, faced setbacks in the past year but are looking to bounce back in the upcoming IPL season. The tournament will also see KL Rahul returning from an injury and competing for a spot in the World Cup squad as a wicket-keeper batter.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, now named, have acquired talent like Cameron Green to strengthen their batting core. Other teams like Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad have made changes in coaching and captaincy, while Mumbai Indians will have Hardik Pandya leading the team instead of Rohit Sharma.
The buzz and excitement around the IPL remain high, with quirky promotions and commentary personalities adding to the entertainment value. The season will be closely watched by the selectors as they look to identify potential candidates for the upcoming T20 World Cup and assemble a competitive team with a winning mindset.
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MS Dhoni’s retirement announcement post IPL 2024; Ruturaj Gaikwad chosen as CSK captain: Reports
