MS Dhoni told his Chennai Super Kings (CSK) teammates about the decision to step down as skipper at the breakfast table on Thursday, according to a report. The report stated that Dhoni informed his teammates and support staff about his decision and later, he called up the franchise management to tell them about the decision to hand over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said that he was taken by surprise when Dhoni informed them about him stepping down as skipper ahead of IPL 2024 and explained that he wanted to work on the transition with Gaikwad.
“He informed us of the decision this morning before the captain’s meeting after talking to the head coach,” Viswanathan told The Indian Express.
“Mr N Srinivasan has given the charge to Dhoni and whatever decision he takes, will always be in the best interest of the franchise. And he has been grooming Gaikwad for the last couple of years on the field as well as outside. Dhoni felt this is the right time to hand over to him as he felt Gaikwad is also ready,” Viswanathan added.
Dhoni was appointed CSK skipper back in the inaugural IPL season in 2008 and under his leadership, the franchise won the title five times – the joint-most by any team alongside Mumbai Indians.
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming also weighed in on Dhoni’s decision.
“It was MS, with a lot of consideration and a view to the future on the back of a good last season. The timing was good. Behind the scenes, Ruturaj and others have been going through captaincy grooming courses, especially for days like this. When the opportunity comes up, MS is the best judge,” he said.
Fleming said Dhoni’s announcement was a “low-key” event since there has been a build-up which has lasted for two years or so.
“It was typically very low-key, and it quickly took off to a celebration, as the players embraced Ruturaj,” he said.
“Of course, there was a little bit of a shock around it, but going back to two years behind, the players and now the ex-captain (Dhoni) handled it well while announcing the decision to the team,” Fleming added.
(With PTI inputs)
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