(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Ruturaj Gaikwad, the stylish young opener for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), is all set to lead the team in the ongoing IPL 2024 season. This comes after a surprise captaincy handover from the legendary MS Dhoni, a move that Gaikwad reveals Dhoni had foreshadowed.
Speaking about the transition, Gaikwad acknowledged Dhoni’s subtle hints.
“Last year itself, Mahi bhai had hinted about captaincy at some point of
time. 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,” Gaikwad said as quoted to IPLT20.com.
The murmurs of Gaikwad’s potential leadership intensified when Dhoni posted about a “new role” on social media.
“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,” he added.
Gaikwad expressed the significance of the CSK captaincy, saying,” It feels great for two reasons (of new role). To be part of this
wonderful franchise right from when my IPL journey started and then to
be trusted by MS Dhoni for a leadership role speaks a lot. The challenge
lies ahead and I’m looking forward to it.”
CSK will kickstart their campaign against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.