New Delhi. Experienced all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin said that there was no haste in giving the responsibility of captaining Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to Ruturaj Gaikwad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) because of the way Mahendra Singh Dhoni works. Must have talked to the batsman about this role long ago. A day before the start of the 2024 season of IPL, CSK announced that Dhoni was handing over the responsibility of captaincy to Gaikwad.
CSK had made Ravindra Jadeja the captain in the campaign to change the responsibility of captaincy in the 2022 phase too, but after only eight matches, this all-rounder returned the responsibility of captaincy to Dhoni. Ashwin said that this decision was not surprising at all. He said on his YouTube channel, ‘This was bound to happen, it would have happened at some stage or the other. I know MS Dhoni, for him the team is most important and he always thinks about the betterment of the team. Because of this, two years ago he handed over the responsibility of captaincy to Jadeja and now he has given it to Rituraj. This decision had to be taken but the question was who it would be and how it would happen.
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‘It’s not like Rituraj came to know just yesterday.’
This experienced cricketer believes that this could not have been a last minute decision. R Ashwin said, ‘It is not that Ruturaj came to know just yesterday that he will play only as a batsman. I believe that Dheani must have told Ruturaj last year itself that you will be given the responsibility. I will be with you so you don’t need to worry.
‘Be prepared, this should come as no surprise to you’
Regarding Ruturaj Gaikwad becoming the captain, Ashwin supported him because he feels that he is also a player with a calm and composed personality. He said, ‘I know Rituraj, he is a very calm and composed player and a very good person. I am happy for him.’ Gaikwad admitted after the official announcement that Dhoni had given him a hint to take charge of the team in the last season itself. He said on IPLT20.com, ‘Last year itself Mahi Bhai had given me a hint of captaincy. He said, ‘Be prepared, this should not be a surprise for you.’ When we joined the camp, he also included me in some match practice with him.
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Tags: csk, IPL, ms dhoni, Rashwin
FIRST PUBLISHED: March 22, 2024, 18:05 IST