'I was taken aback by Dhoni's decision': Ruturaj Gaikwad on taking over CSK captaincy

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the Chennai Super Kings captain, shared his experience about the moment when MS Dhoni informed him about the leadership transition.
Before the 2024 IPL season began, Dhoni transferred the captaincy to Gaikwad, who has been with the franchise since 2019.
During his tenure as CSK captain, Dhoni led the team in 212 matches, securing 128 victories and facing 82 defeats since IPL's inception in 2008, excluding the two-year suspension period.
"Just a week before the tournament last year, MS Dhoni came up to me and said, 'I'm not leading this year-you are.' I was taken aback, asking, 'From the first game? Are you sure?' With just a few days to prepare, it was overwhelming. But he assured me, 'This is your team. You make your own decisions. I won't interfere-except when field placements are a 50-50 call. Even then, it's not a compulsion to follow my advice. That trust meant a lot to me," said Gaikwad on JioHotstar
Dhoni's leadership journey with CSK began in 2008, resulting in five IPL titles. He remained loyal to the Super Kings throughout his career, except during the team's suspension in 2016 and 2017.
"When a highly experienced captain is still on the field, his presence can be either an asset or overwhelming. Some players might wonder, 'Am I really leading, or is the team still looking to the former captain?' But Dhoni's personality is exceptional-he ensures the transition is seamless without overshadowing the new leader," said former India batter Aakash Chopra.
Under Gaikwad's leadership, CSK finished fifth in the 2024 IPL season. They won seven matches and lost an equal number, missing out on playoff qualification due to net run rate behind Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Dhoni will enter his 18th IPL season in 2025. He has played 264 matches and amassed 5234 runs, including 24 half-centuries.
"Gotta give credit to him for encouraging millions of fans out there to watch the game of cricket and to be inspired. It's because of guys like him who have really carried the game well over a very long period of time. Touch wood, hopefully it continues for a few more years to come," said South African legend AB de Villiers about Dhoni's enduring presence in the sport.