Here’s How MS Dhoni Reacted To Ruturaj Gaikwad’s CSK Captaincy In IPL 2024 So Far? WATCH VIDEO
New Delhi: Former Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni found a lot of his own qualities in new skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad during their first two games in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Given the leadership responsibility from Dhoni just a day before IPL 2024 started, the 27-year-old Gaikwad passed with full marks in CSK’s both games, leading them to victory on both occasions. The defending champions are also at the top of the standings with four points.
Dhoni’s praise of Gaikwad cropped up during one of CSK’s promotional events recently. The anchor asked Rachin Ravindra, playing his first IPL season, about his dropped catch against Gujarat Titans and whether he looked at Dhoni after that. Before the Kiwi opener could utter a word, Dhoni was quick to respond, “There is a new captain now (laughs).”
“It’s there but I’m not somebody who reacts a lot, especially at somebody who is playing their first or second game. And I think Rutu (Ruturaj Gaikwad) is quite the same. But it was fun to watch him (Rachin) move all around like 360 (degrees) he was everywhere, felt like he was dancing,” added Dhoni sitting by Ravindra’s side.
MS Dhoni said “There is a new Captain”. (Smiles)
– Dhoni is quick in responses as his stumpings. pic.twitter.com/GbpKAdR7TO
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 28, 2024
The event was also attended by other CSK stars Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube. Although, Ravindra dropped one catch, but compensated with three in the same match. Besides his fielding skills, the Kiwi southpaw also made everyone’s heads turn with his batting.
Ravindra, who was brilliant with the bat for New Zealand in the ODI World Cup 2024, scored 37 in the first game against Royal Challengers Bangalore, before punishing the Gujarat Titans bowlers with a 20-ball 46. Earlier in December last year, Ravindra was bought by CSK for Rs 1.8 crore.
Against Gujarat Titans, Ravindra made full use of the powerplay but missed on a well-deserved fifty. The New Zealander, who has already become a darling of the CSK fans, enthralled all and sundry with his audacious stroke-play. While he missed out again on a half-century but team’s ‘spiritual skipper’ Mahendra Singh Dhoni would be all smiles knowing that his choice was perfect to the T.
The three sixes — a flick behind the square and one over long-on off the normally profligate Umesh Yadav and one off Azmatullah Omarzai were hit with so much disdain that it did put Gujarat Titans in a spot. There were some crunchy cover drives as well as Ravindra let his skipper Gaikwad breathe a little easy at the other end.