IPL 2024: ‘End Of An Era’ Trends On Social Media Platform ‘X’ After MS Dhoni Steps Down As CSK Captain
New Delhi: Just like in 2022, Chennai Super Kings dropped a bombshell just a day before the commencement of Indian Premier League, as the five-time champions announced Ruturaj Gaikwad as the new captain of the franchise, succeeding legendary MS Dhoni. The announcement of Gaikwad’s appointment as the CSK spread like wildfire as the internet kept buzzing with the five-time IPL winning captain stepping down from the leadership role, thus ending the MS Dhoni era at CSK.
The only Indian captain to win all ICC trophies, Dhoni has led CSK since the inception of IPL in 2008. He did try to pass on the baton to Ravindra Jadeja in 2022, but the experiment failed as Dhon had to take over the reins midway into the tournament. While speculations are rife about Dhoni playing his last IPL, ‘End of an Era’ started trending on social media, particularly ‘X’.
MS Dhoni has 7 letters, so does Captain. End of an era! pic.twitter.com/PO8YpcUvkZ
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 21, 2024
“MS Dhoni has 7 letters, so does Captain. End of an era!” said two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders on X. Even Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) also showed tribute to Dhoni on social media. “Just how fast the night changes. End of an Era, but the next one’s promising too!” RCB said.
Just how fast the night changes
End of an Era, but the next one’s promising too! #PlayBold @imVkohli @msdhoni @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/uGmTn280Kz
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 21, 2024
Not just about Dhoni, IPL 2024 will also see Mumbai Indians without Rohit Sharma as captain. Hardik Pandya replaced Rohit as Mumbai Indians skipper. This will be first time, IPL will see Virat Kohli, Dhoni and Rohit playing the tournament as normal players. Kohli relinquished his RCB captaincy after the 2021 season. Truly, its the ‘End of an Era’.
Dhoni officially announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020 but his engagement in IPL remained intact. The 42-year-old, who played with a dodgy knee last season, underwent a surgery after leading CSK to their fifth title.
Dhoni has played as many as 250 IPL matches, scoring more than 5000 runs at a strike rate of 135.92.
Due to his knee issues, Dhoni pushed himself down to number 8 in the batting order last season but after regaining full fitness, he is expected to bat higher up this edition.