ドーニはありませんが、ギークワッドは「決定の99％です」：キャプテン・エクス・クスクが後継者に直面している

Former Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni brushed aside speculations of leading the side while Ruturaj Gaikwad is the skipper. CSK made a last-minute decision to appoint the opener as the captain, replacing MSD just before the start of IPL 2024. Dhoni has now spilled the beans on his equation with Gaikwad and how the captaincy transition took place.

Dhoni opens up on who is leading CSK from front

Speaking to JioHotstar in an exclusive interview, Dhoni revealed that he had told Gaikwad that he would be leading the team 90% in IPL 2025. The former CSK captain pointed out that batters were looked at as the long-term solution more than injury-prone bowlers, and hence Ruturaj was chosen as his successor. MSD added that all important decisions, including fielding placements and bowling changes, were made by Gaikwad and he was just helpinh him.

“Before the start of the tournament, I also told him, ‘If I give you advice, it doesn’t mean you have to follow it. I will try to stay away as much as possible.’ During the season, a lot of people speculated that I was making the decisions in the background. But the fact is, he was making 99% of the decisions,” Dhoni said.

“Ruturaj has been part of us for quite some time. He has done well for us. His temperament is very good—he’s very calm, very composed. He and Fleming get along very well. So those were the reasons we considered him for leadership. We were quite sure Ruturaj would be good for us. After IPL last year, I almost immediately told him, ‘90% you will lead next season, so start preparing yourself mentally’,” Dhoni added.

Gaikwad-led CSK handed a 4-wicket defeat to Mumbai Indians to start their IPL 2025 campaign on a victorious note.