IPL 2024: Not Ben Stokes!! Ambati Rayudu Reveals Who Will Be CSK Next Captain After MS Dhoni

Who will replace MS Dhoni as Chennai Super Kings captain? This is the one question that has been doing the rounds for quite some time now. The legendary wicketkeeper-batsman has been leading the franchise since 2008 but his days in the game are numbered now.

While many expected him to retire last year only, he decided to play this year too and has confirmed that he would return for IPL 2024 too provided he remains fit. But Dhoni is very unlikely to play beyond IPL 2024. And the cricketing world is eagerly waiting to know who would replace him as the next CSK skipper.

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CSK did try Ravindra Jadeja as captain last year but it backfired and the allrounder himself stepped down from the post before Dhoni took charge of the team once again. Many believed that England Test captain Ben Stokes is the best candidate to replace Dhoni as the next CSK captain after the franchise signed him in the last auction. However, Stokes’ form and injury woes in IPL 2023 must have hurt his chances.

Ambati Rayudu on next CSK captain:

While only time will tell who replaces MS Dhoni as the next CSK captain, former CSK batsman Ambati Rayudu believes Ruturaj Gaikwad has a good chance to do so. The former India batsman was all praise for the opening batsman, saying that he is a very down-to-earth and calm person.

In a recent interview on Behind Wood TV, Ambati Rayudu began by saying that he would like to see MS Dhoni as the captain before speaking about Ruturaj. He said that the youngster could serve CSK for long if he is groomed by MS Dhoni and coach Stephen Fleming.

“I have no clue, I just hope that Mahi bhai captains,” Ambati Rayudu said.

“In the future times, Ruturaj has a great chance and has leadership qualities in him. So if Mahi bhai grooms him, he can lead the team for seven, eight or ten years at a stretch. He is in good hands with Mahi bhai and Fleming (Stephen Fleming). He understands the system well and he is a very, very down-to-earth, calm guy,” he added.

Ambati Rayudu on Future CSK Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad ?? pic.twitter.com/mXsixNt5m4

— Chakri Dhoni (@ChakriDhoni17) July 21, 2023

Ruturaj has been a key member of CSK since joining the franchise in 2020. In 2021 and 2023, he scored 635 and 590 runs respectively to help the franchise win the IPL.

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