Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Dhoni formally ended speculations regarding his influence on the decision-making of the team under new captain Gaikwad. As the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League went on, some observers and fans were asking whether Dhoni was still pulling the strings from the background for CSK. But Dhoni has now made it plain as day that Gaikwad is "completely in charge," and the young skipper is calling his shots on the field.
Dhoni has disclosed that Gaikwad is taking more than 99% of the tactical decisions himself, right from bowling alterations to field placements and match strategy as a whole. His own role, according to him, is minimalist — he advises only in situations of near-call, and even there, Gaikwad is not obligated to take his advice.
What MS Dhoni Said About the Captaincy Hand-Off?
Dhoni’s message was simple and empowering — he wanted to give Gaikwad full control so that the leadership transition would be smooth and organic. According to Dhoni:
He informed Gaikwad before the season began that he would step back to give him space to lead.
Dhoni said, “This is your team,” encouraging Gaikwad to trust his instincts and lead without pressure.
He claimed that he never interferes with anything except 50-50 field placements and never involves himself in strategic issues.
Ruturaj Gaikwad's Response to the New Position
For Ruturaj Gaikwad, it came as a surprise to be named captain. News of this announcement came just one week before the commencement of IPL 2024. Gaikwad conceded he was shocked and even confirmed with Dhoni several times. But the open nature and confidence reposed by Dhoni in him gave him the strength of heart to accept the role and lead CSK according to his own vision.
Points to keep in mind in Gaikwad's response are:
He respected Dhoni’s trust and saw it as an opportunity to grow.
Dhoni’s non-interference has helped him gain confidence in his leadership.
He’s been encouraged to take ownership of his decisions, win or lose.
CSK Management’s Take on the Leadership Change
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirms that the leadership transition to appoint Gaikwad as captain was a choice made by MS Dhoni and head coach Stephen Fleming themselves. The CSK management played no part in making the decision, and thus, the transition of the leadership had to be worked out by the cricket brains.
According to Viswanathan:
The management is satisfied in its faith in Gaikwad's leadership potential.
They did not know about the change of captaincy until Dhoni and Fleming decided to do it.
There is strong support for Gaikwad’s leadership from the entire team setup.
Conclusion: A New Chapter with Dhoni’s Silent Support
In conclusion, Dhoni denies control of CSK captain Gaikwad, hammering trust for Gaikwad leadership but letting it be all Dhoni's open mentoring to appreciate empowerment along with personal growth in the team, thus setting the right ambience for cultivating talent in the matchless sea of IPL.
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