Ruturaj Gaikwad replaced former Indian cricket team skipper MS Dhoni as the captain of Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2024. The announcement came on Thursday as Gaikwad attended the captains’ meeting just before the start of the tournament and the news was confirmed by both IPL and CSK on social media. Dhoni captained the franchise since the inaugural IPL season in 2008 and although Ravindra Jadeja was given the responsibility in 2022, Dhoni was made skipper midway into the season. Under Dhoni’s leadership, CSK have won the IPL title five times – the joint-most by any franchise in the history of the competition along with Mumbai Indians. In their official statement, CSK said that Gaikwad has been “an integral part” of the side and added that the team is looking forward to the new season.

“MS Dhoni has handed over Chennai Super Kings’ captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the start of IPL 2024. Ruturaj has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings since 2019 and has played 52 matches in IPL during this period. The team looks forward to the upcoming season,” the statement read.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT: MS Dhoni hands over captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad. #WhistlePodu #Yellove

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 21, 2024

In a post on X, the Indian Premier League revealed the development, a day before CSK take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

“Presenting @ChennaiIPL’s Captain – @Ruutu1331,” the IPL posted on X shortly after releasing a picture of all captains posing with the IPL trophy.

Gaikwad, who has played six ODIs and 19 T20s for India, made his CSK debut in 2020 and has gone on to represent the five time IPL champions in 52 games.

The stylish opener had a memorable run last year, aggregating 590 runs in 16 games at an impressive strike rate of 147.50.

Dhoni is expected to retire at the end of the season and therefore the franchise felt the need for a smooth transition in Dhoni’s presence as a player.

(With PTI inputs)