Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has shared his views on the captaincy change at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) this season. On the eve of the IPL 2024 opener between CSK and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Dhoni announced the decision to step down as captain of the franchise, passing the baton to young batter Ruturaj Gaikwad. So far, CSK have won both of their games under Gaikwad's leadership, with Dhoni helping the youngster develop under his watchful eyes.
Shastri shared his insights on why Dhoni left captaincy, saying that the 42-year-old is playing his last season.
"This is MS Dhoni's last season okay, very clear. You know, it depends on how his body copes with everything, whether he plays the whole season or doesn't play the whole season, only time will tell." Shastri said via Star Sports.
Shastri suggested that Dhoni might not play all the games this season, but that will only depend on how his body responds.
"But what he has done is that he said, I [Dhoni] don't want to give the job to Ruturaj halfway through the tournament. Be in the hot seat from the outside, I am watching from the back, if he needs some help I'm there to help him out. But I [Shastri] think as compared to the year when Jadeja was captain, MS will take more and more of the backseat and probably contribute just in a little way between the drinks break or something like that," he added.
"He'll give him the freedom, I see him giving him the freedom to go and express himself and if he needs to be corrected then you know," Ravi Shastri concluded.
CSK had a great start to the IPL 2024 season as they clinched two consecutive wins in their opening games after beating Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT).
The Chennai-based franchise are currently standing at the top of the IPL 2024 standings with four points by their name. They will be facing the Delhi Capitals after beating GT by 63 runs.