Image Credit- PTI
Ruturaj Gaikwad
received hints from MS Dhoni on a potential captaincy change during the 2023
Indian Premier League. On Friday night, the eve of the Chennai Super Kings’ IPL
2024 season opening at MA Chidambaram Stadium against Royal Challengers
Bengaluru, those feelings came to life as Dhoni formally gave up his leadership
to Gaikwad.
“Last year itself, Mahi bhai had hinted about captaincy at some point of
time,” Gaikwad told IPLT20.com. “He just hinted that, ‘be ready, it
shouldn’t be a surprise to you’. When we came into the camp, he involved me in
some of the match simulation.”
Dhoni incited fan
fervour on social media before of the season by making vague references to a
“new role”. It was thought at the time to be a marketing initiative
for a broadcast sponsor. However, it became apparent on Thursday night that
this might not have been the whole story.
“I remember him posting about a new role on social media and everybody was
pointing towards me and asking me, ‘are you the next captain?’. I was like,
‘maybe it meant something else for social media’. But back of the mind, it was there.
He came and said, ‘I’ve decided this and this’, but definitely now that I’m
here, I’m looking forward to this.”
Before the 2019
season, Gaikwad was first signed for a base price of INR 20 lakh, however he
was not given a game. Gaikwad had a difficult IPL 2020 debut as he started with
three ducks during a season in which he also caught COVID-19. Upon his return
towards the conclusion of the season, he made history by being the first Indian
player without a cap to score three consecutive half-centuries.
He has been a crucial member of the group ever since. He and Faf du Plessis
created an incredible opening combination in 2021 that helped the Super Kings
win their fourth championship. With 635 runs in 16 games, he finished the
tournament with the Orange Cap, ahead of du Plessis in second place. Following
that competition, Gaikwad had extolled the support and encouragement he’d
received from du Plessis.
“I just met Faf
at the [captains’] meeting and said, ‘who would’ve thought a few years down the
line, you are playing and leading RCB and me sharing the stage with you at the
toss’,” Gaikwad said. “A lot to look forward to. It [opening game] is
one of the most exciting first-day games to look forward to.”