March 24, 2025: Former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni has opened up about the decision to appoint Ruturaj Gaikwad as the captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), shedding light on the rationale behind the move. Dhoni, who led the team for an incredible 14 seasons, explained that the choice to hand over the reins to Gaikwad was driven by long-term strategy and the young cricketer’s temperament.
According to Dhoni, the team management carefully considered the long-term goals when selecting a captain. He emphasized that batsmen who consistently perform and form the core of the squad are typically the ones relied upon for leadership, as they tend to have a longer career span compared to fast bowlers who often face injuries.
“Ruturaj has been part of us for quite some time. He has done well for us. His temperament is very good—he’s very calm, very composed. He and Fleming get along very well. So those were the reasons we considered him for leadership,” Dhoni explained during his conversation with Jio Hotstar.
He further shared that Gaikwad was informed about his captaincy role right after the IPL 2024 season. “After IPL last year, I almost immediately told him, ’90 per cent you will lead next season, so start preparing yourself mentally,'” Dhoni said. The former captain made it clear that he wanted Gaikwad to take charge with minimal interference, stating, “If I give you advice, it doesn’t mean you have to follow it. I will try to stay away as much as possible.”
While many speculated that Dhoni still had a significant influence behind the scenes, he clarified that Gaikwad was responsible for making the majority of the decisions during the season. “During the season, a lot of people speculated that I was making the decisions in the background. But the fact is, he was making 99 per cent of the decisions. The most important calls—bowling changes, field placements—were all his. I was just helping him out.”
Gaikwad’s leadership journey began in IPL 2024, when Dhoni handed over the captaincy to him after holding the position for over a decade. Despite CSK’s group-stage exit that year, the franchise’s future looked bright with the rise of their young captain.
This year, CSK has started its campaign with a bang, defeating arch-rivals Mumbai Indians in the third game of IPL 2025. Gaikwad’s explosive 53, which was his quickest in the IPL, played a key role in setting the tone for CSK’s successful chase, leading them to a four-wicket victory on their home ground.
Dhoni’s endorsement of Gaikwad as CSK’s captain reflects his confidence in the youngster’s ability to lead the team to greater heights in the years to come.