‘I think Ruturaj Gaikwad will be a good option’ – Suresh Raina weighs in on future Chennai Super Kings skipper

Ms Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Former India and current Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni has approached the twilight phase of his illustrious career, and it couldn’t have been a more fitting way to cherish this phase after he led CSK to their record-equalling fifth Indian Premier League (IPL) title the previous season. Currently 42, Dhoni is tipped to call it quits after the culmination of the upcoming IPL season. Dhoni persisted through the entirety of IPL 2023 despite his heavily strapped left knee. He has had steadfast resolve and physical & mental strength to make a recovery from his knee injury by undergoing rehabilitation.

Dhoni had stepped down from the role of captaincy for the 2022 season of the IPL. However, CSK didn’t fare well, finishing ninth in the ten-franchise league, with an astonishingly low tally of four wins from fourteen matches. After the dismal season, Dhoni took over the reins of captaincy from Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, and the rest is history.

Former Indian and ex-CSK southpaw Suresh Raina expressed his views on CSK’s future skipper. ‘Mr. IPL’ opined that Ruturaj Gaikwad could be an ideal fit for the role of the skipper for CSK going forward. He also conjectured that in the case of Dhoni stepping away, he would still be present in the dugout as a mental toughness coach or merely for his presence itself.

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“The biggest question is who will be their next captain? Even if Dhoni stepped away as captain, he would be there in the dugout as a mental toughness coach or just for his presence. But who does MS Dhoni have his eyes on? I think Ruturaj Gaikwad will be a good option,” Raina told JioCinema.

Raina wants Dhoni to play for five more years or at least 2-3 more years

After winning the IPL 2023 edition, MS Dhoni said that the 2024 season was a “gift” to his fans. CSK’s ex-player and current batting coach Mike Hussey unveiled that Dhoni was batting “extremely well” in the nets. In the interim, Raina stated that this year would be all the more crucial for CSK than Dhoni since the decision of the deputy skipper would be made, who would most probably lead the team in the future.

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“This year is probably more important for CSK than MS Dhoni because we will see who he is going to select as his deputy and probably say, ‘You handle this now. I’ve been looking after the team since 2008’. He is 42 years old now. I would like to see him play for five more years or at least 2-3 years,” Raina concluded.