Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was named captain of the Chennai Super Kings a day before the start of IPL 2024, he revealed what he learned from MS Dhoni.
Ahead of the opening match of the IPL 2024 edition between CSK and RCB, the five-time champions surprised their fans by revealing that MS Dhoni will not be the captain of the team. That Dhoni has decided to step down from his role after more than 12 years at the helm and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who debuted in Chennai in 2020, will succeed MSD from this season.
Many were forced to think that CSK’s golden days of glory might come to an end after the appointment of Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain. Fans started bringing back memories of IPL 2022 when MS Dhoni handed over the captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja. That particular move did not materialize as Chennai finished ninth in the league standings.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s first season as CSK captain
If we compare Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy with that of Ravindra Jadeja, then the former had better luck than the all-rounder who was sacked midway through IPL 2022. What Gaikwad and Jadeja’s captaincies have in common is that both of them were named captains of franchise after CSK left. through a title-winning season.
In 2022, Chennai was the reigning champion, but in the title defense season they lost 10 matches and won only 4 times. In 2024, CSK entered as five-time champions, but once again the Yellow Army finished outside the top four places. Under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, the Super Kings had a mixed season where they lost 7 and won 7 matches.
The reigning champions had everything in their hands to finish in the top four, but an inspiring performance by RCB denied them entry into the last four. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s team was defeated by Faf du Plessis’ Bengaluru team, who eventually lost to the Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator match earlier this week.
Ruturaj Gaikwad had MS Dhoni’s hands on his head and the latter’s help to the new captain was evident during IPL 2024. In terms of bowling changes and fielding setup, Dhoni helped Gaikwad but the big question is who will be MSD there in the 2025 edition. to help the right-handed hitter?
What did Gaikwad learn from MS Dhoni?
While speaking to Times of India after CSK’s exit, Ruturaj Gaikwad was asked about the things he learned from MS Dhoni this season. The 27-year-old admitted that neutrality is the biggest quality Gaikwad learned from the 2007 and 2011 World Cup-winning captain.
Staying calm and composed in every situation without getting too excited during matches is another quality that Ruturaj Gaikwad learned. The batsman feels it is the best approach he could have learned in his debut season as captain.
“Being neutral is something I learned from Mahi bhai – not getting too excited about anything or depressed about anything is the right approach I have adopted.” – said Ruturaj Gaikwad via Times of India.