Though fans missed it, Dhoni had hinted on Facebook that he was leaving the CSK captaincy: As Ruturaj Gaikwad Discloses

On Thursday, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) shocked their supporters by selecting Ruturaj Gaikwad as their new captain. The team revealed the MS Dhoni replacement on social media a day before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season kicked off. Gaikwad hasn’t let CSK down with the bat and will now captain the team after the team won his services in the IPL 2019 player auction. Though taking on such a large role would not be easy, the Maharashtra battalion is prepared and eager to succeed.

However, when was the choice made? According to sources, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan was informed of the leadership change just before the captain’s picture session on the eve of Chennai’s IPL 2024 opener. However, Gaikwad said that the previous season, the legend himself had given him a tip.

Ruturaj said in a video that the Indian Premier League (IPL) uploaded on the microblogging platform X (previously Twitter) that Dhoni had requested in the previous year to be ready for the responsibility so that he wouldn’t be caught off guard when it came his way.

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Mahi Bhai had made passing references to captaincy throughout the course of the previous year. “Just be ready, it should not come as a surprise to you,” he only indicated. In the video, Gaikwad said, “And when we got to the camp, he included me in some of the match simulations.”

Gaikwad also discussed Dhoni’s March 4 Facebook post, in which he discussed his “new role.” Not even Gaikwad, who just saw it as another typical social media post, could have surmised that it was about his resigning as CSK’s captain.

“I recall him sharing on social media about his ‘new role.'” I was the center of attention as everyone asked whether I was the incoming captain. I assumed it was limited to social media. I

“Now that I’m here, I’m really looking forward to it, but it was there in the back of my mind,” he said.

He will be tossing at Chepauk with his old opening partner, Faf du Plessis, who has been heading RCB since 2022, when CSK takes on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the season’s first match. The recently appointed CSK is excited for Friday night’s tantalizing match.

Who would have imagined that we would be sharing the stage at the toss with you heading RCB a few years later? There’s a lot to look forward to and an exciting first game to anticipate,” he said.

Gaikwad went on to say he didn’t need to make any changes on the field as he knew the secret to CSK’s success. He feels that he doesn’t need to worry too much since he still has Dhoni and other friends like Ajinkya Rahan and Ravindra Jadeja.

It is very satisfying for two reasons. Being a member of such an amazing franchise from the start of my IPL adventure is tremendous. Second, to be able to rely on MS Dhoni in a leadership capacity. It clearly says a lot. I’m excited for the next major challenge,” Gaikwad said.

“I enjoy the way this club has operated over the years, and I learned the secret to the team’s success. Nothing about it would change for me.

“Having him [Dhoni] on the pitch is fantastic. I also have Jaddu Bhai and Ajju Bhai. Thus, there are plenty of choices to consider,” he said.