Who will be the next CSK captain after MS Dhoni?

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni had strongly warned his bowlers not to minimize the extras or take the risk after a 12-run defeat of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their first home game of the season under a new captain to play Indian Premier League (IPL) season at MA Chidambaram Stadium on April 3rd.

Their bowling was undisciplined as they gave away three no-balls and 13 wides, forcing Dhoni to scold his teammates. Since then, the CSK bowlers have yet to excel!

Every word of CSK’s Thala is treated as commandment and his advice as gospel. However, at 41, Dhoni is in the last round of his cricket career and this edition of IPL could be his last. And once he decides to quit his career, CSK faces the unenvious task of finding a new leader for the team.

There is hardly a substitute for Dhoni. His boots are too big to fill. But the show must go on and here TSN takes a look at the options CSK has in its kitty.

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Ravindra Jadeja

In IPL 2022, Dhoni had resigned from his captaincy and his trusted lieutenant Ravindra Jadeja was crowned as the new leader. Eight games into the season, CSK had won just twice and were subsequently stripped of his managerial duties and Dhoni renamed captain.

Despite his unimpressive performance in that short stint, CSK management might be tempted to crown him again as he was one of the longest-serving players in CSK history and is third on the appearance list behind Dhoni and Suresh Raina. He definitely needs to work on his leadership skills and as one of the students of the four time IPL winning captain he should have the hang of it by next season. Patience is the key to Jadeja!

Ben Stokes

CSK spent a whopping 16.25 crores INR on the IPL 2023 auction, making it the third most expensive player in IPL history. And right after the gavel fell, many began to believe Ben Stokes would lead the team once Dhoni retired.

A good all-rounder and also as an England Test captain he should be the first choice to replace Dhoni. However, his date with injuries makes him a problematic candidate. He suffered a finger injury that ruled him out of the entire 2022 IPL campaign after just one game and he came to this edition of IPL with a knee injury and wasn’t expected to bowl. However, he bowed out against Lucknow Super Giants and hasn’t played a game since.

If the England international can solve his fitness woes, he could become CSK’s next captain.

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Ruturaj Gaikwad

The young opener has already established himself as an integral part of the CSK squad with his exceptional power hit skills at the highest level. During the 2021 season, he was instrumental in guiding his team to their fourth IPL title, including winning the orange cap in the process, in which he hit 635 runs in 16 games with a 45.35 average.

He is the leader of Maharashtra, led them to the final of the 2022 Vijay Hazare Trophy and has done very well as a leader. Even former CSK player Suresh Raina backs him as the next captain.

“I want Ruturaj Gaikwad to be promoted around him. Mahi Bhai has a good brain, he’s around the boys. I would say Ruturaj Gaikwad he did really well, I want him to do well for both the country and CSK. said Raina Jio Cinema when asked who should succeed Dhoni as skipper.

“Rutu, good luck for your captaincy, brother,” Raina added, hinting that he could be the next captain.

Runs continue to flow from his racquet this edition of IPL and has already surpassed the 300-run mark with an average of 45.29.