On Dhoni leaving the captaincy, coach Stephen Fleming said: We were not ready in 2022, but now the time is right – Dainik Savera Times

Chennai: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has said that it was Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s decision to hand over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad. In the press conference before the first match of the season, Fleming said, ‘It was MS Dhoni’s decision. This decision has been taken after thinking a lot and keeping in mind the future after the last season was excellent. Behind the scenes, Ruturaj and others were being prepared for captaincy.

This is the second time in the last three seasons when CSK has taken a major decision of change in captaincy a day before the first match of the season. Ravindra Jadeja was given the captaincy in 2022, but this change was not good and Jadeja left the captaincy in the middle of the season. Under his captaincy the team lost six out of the first eight matches. Dhoni was given the captaincy again and then CSK captured the trophy last year.

According to Fleming, the events that happened in 2022 were a wake-up call for him and the franchise had learned the lesson that captains have to be prepared for the future. He said, ‘Probably the biggest thing a few years ago was that we were not ready for Dhoni to step back. We had such a close relationship with him in terms of leadership and coaching that we were forced to think what would happen when he leaves?

It was difficult to think about it till then, but from there the path opened. We worked hard and decided not to repeat the mistakes we had made before. Fleming also believes that Gaikwad is going to get a lot of suggestions from Dhoni and other senior players on the field in his new role. Apart from Dhoni and Jadeja, Gaikwad will be only the third person to captain CSK. ‘Rituraj has confidence in himself. He is not a very aggressive captain or person,

But he has a very good rapport with his fellow players and they also have a lot of respect for him. According to me, help will come from senior players. Gaikwad also wants to learn from the experience of Dhoni and company. He said, ‘Feels good.’ It is a privilege, but more than that, it is also a huge responsibility. I’m really excited to see the group we have. I don’t need to do anything more. I have Mahi Bhai in the team, Jaddu [जडेजा] Bhai and Ajju [रहाणे] There are brothers who are good captains to show me the way.