Before the start of the 19th edition of the season, there was a lot of talk about MS Dhoni taking the crucial decisions due to his years of experience as a captain. However, Ruturaj Gaikwad himself clarified all the debates and questions raised by several cricket experts and former Indian cricketers regarding Dhoni’s captaincy role.
In a recent interview with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad just before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL), he made it clear that, at the end of the day, all the decisions will be made by him and the team management.
MS Dhoni himself doesn’t want to interfere in everything!
He further continued and said, “I have huge respect for Mahi Bhai. He doesn’t attend team discussions himself; he wants Fleming and me to take things forward. He tells us, ‘Even if you ask for my advice, you don’t necessarily have to follow it.”
MS Dhoni trusts Ruturaj’s captaincy
Going further, he believes our ideas should drive the team. He isn’t focused on what is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ – if he sees a problem, he just focuses on how to solve it. For someone of his stature to take a step back & trust us to lead is a huge thing.”
Additionally, even when he asks for advice from MS Dhoni, that doesn’t necessarily mean to follow it blindly. He wants the team to keep running on their ideas, not on him. That’s why he passes these responsibilities to the coach, captain, and the team management.
MS Dhoni stepping back and believing in him is already a very big thing!
Concluding the interview, Gaikwad said that, “for someone of his stature to take a step back & trust us to lead is a huge thing”. Stepping back from taking a captaincy decision and believing in him is already a big thing for the Chenani skipper. We all know how big MS Dhoni is and what he has done for international cricket in the past. Believing in me is already a very big thing for me.
Over the years, we have learned a lot of things from Dhoni. The way he keeps himself calm under pressure conditions and keeps believing in his abilities to finish the game single-handedly.
Gaikwad Recod as a captain!
When Dhoni quit from the captaincy role after winning his 5th IPL title in 2023, he handed over the captaincy to the young Indian batter Ruturaj in 2024. Despite being an average record as captain for the Chennai Super Kings, Dhoni have seen potential in him as a leader.
