It was someday on Thursday morning that MS Dhoni, in his typical fashion, broke the information to the Chennai Tremendous Kings administration after surprising his teammates and help workers over the breakfast desk. Submit that assembly, Dhoni is known to have dialled the franchise administration, informing of his resolution at hand over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad, a participant CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan mentioned was being groomed for the function for the final two years.
Although the choice got here out of the blue, the franchise appears to be much better positioned to deal with the transition, in contrast to in 2022 when Ravindra Jadeja took over the reins earlier than stepping apart halfway by means of the IPL. Again then, the franchise appeared to have been shocked by Dhoni’s resolution, however this time head coach Stephen Fleming mentioned they had been much better positioned.
“Nicely, the massive factor about a few years in the past was that we most likely weren’t prepared for MS to maneuver apart. What that did was most likely shake us up as a management group and make the coaches take a look at the likelihood when he does go. Up till that stage, it was nearly unthinkable, but it surely sowed the seed. So, we’ve labored fairly laborious on ensuring that any errors that had been made then aren’t made once more,” Fleming mentioned.
Thala Exhibits us the Rutu! 🦁💛#WhistlePodu #Yellove pic.twitter.com/eKaUgq2Hwu
— Chennai Tremendous Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 21, 2024
In a workforce that has a giant star forged and gamers of worldwide reputation, the choice at hand the captaincy to Gaikwad, a participant acquainted with the set-up and administration, matches their philosophy. A really calm individual, he has admirers for the best way he offers with high-pressure conditions. The 27-year-old joined the franchise forward of the 2019 season at a base value of Rs 20 lakh and since then, has impressed these within the dressing room in addition to on the India Cements headquarters. After profitable the Orange Cap in 2022, forward of a giant public sale, Gaikwad was one of many 4 gamers retained by CSK for Rs 6 crore. That makes him the captain with the bottom price ticket.
The Indian Specific understands that Gaikwad was nicely conscious that he would be the successor to Dhoni. However in line with these near the participant, even when he left Pune to hitch the pre-season camp on March 3, Gaikwad was solely anticipating to take cost subsequent season after Dhoni hung up his boots. However it’s understood that Dhoni needed to groom Gaikwad within the function whereas he was nonetheless round as a participant.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT: MS Dhoni arms over captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad. #WhistlePodu #Yellove
— Chennai Tremendous Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 21, 2024
“He knowledgeable us of the choice this morning earlier than the captain’s assembly after speaking to the top coach,” Viswanathan instructed The Indian Specific. “Mr N Srinivasan has given the cost to Dhoni and no matter resolution he takes, will at all times be in the perfect curiosity of the franchise. And he has been grooming Gaikwad for the final couple of years on the sphere in addition to outdoors. Dhoni felt that is the proper time at hand over to him as he felt Gaikwad can also be prepared,” Viswanathan mentioned.
Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad with teammate MS Dhoni throughout a coaching session forward of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 cricket match between Chennai Tremendous Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, at MA Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (PTI Picture)
Fleming concurred. “It was MS’ name with a number of consideration and with a view to the long run on the again of a great season final yr. The timing was good. Behind the scenes, Rutu and others have been on a captaincy grooming course of, wanting ahead to days like this and the alternatives developing, however MS is the perfect choose and he felt the time was proper,” he mentioned.
The chosen one
Ever because the resolution at hand Jadeja the captaincy didn’t go in line with plans, it’s understood that Dhoni had earmarked Gaikwad as the long run captain. Although they introduced in Ben Stokes as an alternate choice, the sensation within the franchise has been that Gaikwad would take cost in some unspecified time in the future. Throughout the 2022/2023 version of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with Maharashtra enjoying their league matches in Ranchi, Gaikwad had spent every night in Dhoni’s firm. And it was in these conferences that Dhoni knowledgeable Gaikwad about how the franchise was taking a look at him as a successor.
“Feels Good! It’s a privilege!” – Captain Rutu 🗣️🦁 #WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/HPyWuEajIg
— Chennai Tremendous Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 21, 2024
Gaikwad used the match to check himself for the function as nicely. “From gameplans to deciding our observe classes, we noticed a special Rutu that yr. He principally ran the workforce. We haven’t seen anybody do this earlier than or after. This time when he left for Chennai, he knew he can be the successor, however by no means thought this may be the season,” Azim Kazi, Gaikwad’s shut good friend and teammate at Maharashtra, mentioned.
Aside from being a confident participant, the administration has additionally observed Gaikwad’s management qualities within the captaincy expertise programme that Fleming conducts all through each season. Over the previous couple of years, the New Zealander has been dealing with this programme, with a number of home gamers displaying lively curiosity to attend these classes which aren’t necessary. These classes, aside from speaking about on-field methods, additionally delve into communication and decision-making expertise by sticking to philosophies that the workforce adheres to.
“There’s at all times alternatives to speak about management with gamers and I assume that having the chance to captain New Zealand places me able the place I can communicate with some authority. So I’ve actually loved speaking with not solely Rutu however others about captaincy expertise and management and the way you go about it. So, it’s a part of the 2 months that we get pleasure from. And it’s for alternatives like this that you simply see a younger participant come by means of and now get the chance to guide our franchise. We’re very pleased with it,” Fleming mentioned.
Nearly 50 years again, a sure Gaikwad (Shivaji Rao Gaikwad) born in Maharashtra got here to Chennai and dominated the hearts as Rajinikanth. Chennai absolutely gained’t thoughts a repeat.