Only last year, Mahi Bhai had given me a hint about captaincy… Gaikwad

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New Delhi. Newly-appointed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad admitted that MS Dhoni himself had hinted at him about a captaincy change during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, saying, “Be prepared for some big decisions.”

However, the hint came true on Friday, just a day ahead of CSK’s opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, with the five-time IPL winner surprising everyone by naming right-handed opener Gaikwad as its new captain for the IPL 2024 season. Surprised.

“Mahi bhai had hinted about captaincy sometime last year,” Gaikwad told IPLT20.com. “He just hinted, ‘Be prepared, it shouldn’t be a surprise to you. When we came to the camp, they involved me in some match simulations.”

Before the start of the IPL, Dhoni had shared a cryptic post on Facebook which read, “Can’t wait for the new season and new ‘role’. Stay tuned!”, which left his fans surprised. However her post was taken as a promotional campaign from the broadcasters side where she played a dual role in the IPL promo advertisement.

“I remember he posted on social media about a new role and everyone was pointing at me and asking me, ‘Are you the next captain?'” Gaikwad said.

He further recalled his first meeting as captain, where he met his former CSK opening partner Faf du Plessis, who is now the RCB captain, Gaikwad said, “I just met Faf in the (captains) meeting And he said, ‘Who would have thought that a few years later, you will be playing and leading against RCB and I will be sharing the stage with you at the toss.'” He added, “There is a lot to look forward to. This (opening match) is one of the most exciting matches of the first day.”

CSK acquired the services of Gaikwad in the IPL 2019 player auction and since then he has not disappointed with the bat. The team had gambled on Gaikwad as a player for the future in the IPL 2020 season and used him as an anchoring opener who can attack when required.

Making his IPL debut, CSK gave Gaikwad six matches and he scored 204 runs at an impressive average of 51.00.

Gaikwad made a huge impression on Indian cricket fans by scoring an incredible 635 runs for champions CSK in 2021 and clinching the Orange Cap for scoring the most runs in the tournament.

At the end of the 2021 season, Gaikwad scored 70 against Delhi Capitals in the qualifiers and combined with Faf du Plessis to score 61 in the final, helping CSK reach 192, which proved to be enough.

Gaikwad said of his new role, “It feels great for two reasons.” “To be a part of this amazing franchise since the beginning of my IPL journey and then to be trusted by MS Dhoni for a leadership role says a lot. The challenge lies ahead and I am looking forward to it.”

He concluded, “I learned how the franchises work throughout the year, got to know their mantra, got to know the reasons behind their success, what kind of things the franchisees go through, what Mahi Bhai or the support staff do. I love it. Wouldn’t want to change a single part.”

–IANS

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