Steve Smith hailed Ms Dhoni
Australian star Steve Smith recently recalled how well he enjoyed playing alongside MS Dhoni and leading him in IPL 2017 when plying his trade for the now defunct Rising Pune Supergiants. Smith appreciated the legendary wicketkeeper batsman as one of the best readers of the game. With the Pune-based franchise finishing in the bottom half of the table in 2016 under Dhoni, Smith came into the fore as captain. The team, however, missed the title by a whisker, losing to the Mumbai Indians in the final by a solitary run.
He enjoyed leading him
Speaking to Star Sports’ Tamil, Smith observed that no one is as good as the veteran in India when it comes to understanding the angles and nuances of the game. Smith said: “There were many occasions where MS was fantastic. You know, I really enjoyed playing with him. I enjoyed leading him as well. He certainly helped me out. There’s no one better in India to have behind the stumps than MS Dhoni. The way he understands the game and the angles of the game is second to none. So look, he was a tremendous person to play with. I really enjoyed his company on and off the field.”
The 2023 edition of IPL saw MS Dhoni become the joint-most successful skipper in IPL history along with Rohit Sharma when he captained the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to their fifth title. The final witnessed the Super Kings beat the Gujarat Titans in a thrilling contest.
Dhoni potentially playing last IPL season
A day before IPL 2024, MS Dhoni relinquished his leadership duties as Ruturaj Gaikwad took over the reins of Chennai Super Kings (CSK). With the Ranchi-born cricketer stepping down as captain, fans have widely speculated if he is playing his final edition.
Ruturaj had become genuine choice
As MS Dhoni steps down, Ruturaj Gaikwad took take over as CSK’s next captain. Gaikwad’s spectacular climb since making his IPL debut in 2020 has been nothing short of incredible. With unshakable consistency and a knack for high scores, he has established himself as an important member of the CSK team. Gaikwad’s strong record and potential made him an obvious choice for captaincy.
Gaikwad’s Reign
Ruturaj Gaikwad now wears the captain’s armband and faces the ultimate leadership test. His rise from promising teenager to captain of one of the IPL’s most legendary franchises demonstrates his talent and commitment. Gaikwad’s calm attitude and strategic skill will be critical in guiding CSK through the hurdles of the coming season. With Gaikwad leading the Super Kings to two wins in as many matches, fans also see it as a smooth transition as a captain.