TATA IPL 2024: Gaikwad has been appointed as the new captain of CSK after Dhoni steps down from captaincy.

MS Dhoni has relinquished the captaincy of Chennai Super Kings, with Ruturaj Gaikwad stepping into the role, as announced by the franchise on Thursday (March 21).

Interestingly, the news was initially disclosed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) during the pre-IPL captains conclave in Chennai on the same day, before the official confirmation from the CSK franchise.

In a statement, CSK stated, “MS Dhoni has handed over Chennai Super Kings’ captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the start of IPL 2024.

Ruturaj has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings since 2019 and has played 52 matches in IPL during this period.

The team looks forward to the upcoming season.”

The sudden and unexpected change reflects Dhoni’s characteristic approach to his career.

His cryptic social media post on March 4, “Can’t wait for the new season and the new ‘role’.

Stay tuned!”, hinted at this transformation almost two weeks before its clarification.

The confirmation from CSK management comes just before the team’s opener in the new season.

As defending champions, the Super Kings face Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Chepauk in Chennai on Friday (March 22), marking the commencement of the new IPL season.

Insiders reveal that the franchise management was informed of the change only on Thursday morning, shortly before the Captains Conclave.

Kasi Viswanathan, the CEO of CSK, emphasized that the decision was between Dhoni and coach Stephen Fleming.

He stated, “We went by their decision.”

Gaikwad, aged 27, who debuted in the 2020 season, was reportedly informed about the impending change earlier.

However, Viswanathan asserted that franchise owner N Srinivasan was only informed on Thursday morning.

Unlike the mishandled episode involving Ravindra Jadeja’s captaincy midway through the 2022 season, this transition seems better orchestrated.

The current move aims for smoother team dynamics, contrasting with the past instance where Jadeja left the team prematurely.

Regarding the future, speculation abounds about Ruturaj’s long-term suitability and the potential recruitment of Rohit Sharma, sidelined from captaincy in Mumbai Indians.

Viswanathan declined to delve into speculation, stating, “We cannot say about the future.”

However, he confirmed that Dhoni would participate fully in this season.