IPL 2023 Auction: PBKS Batting Coach Wasim Jaffer Feels Ruturaj Gaikwad Could Replace MS Dhoni As CSK Captain

Former India National Cricket Team opening batsman and the newly-appointed batting coach of the Punjab Kings (PBKS), Wasim Jaffer, has opined that the young opener Ruturaj Gaikwad could replace MS Dhoni as the skipper of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.

Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, Ravindra Jadeja was appointed as the new captain of the Chennai Super Kings. Under Jadeja’s leadership, the team didn’t perform as the franchise would have expected and he was removed midway through the tournament and Dhoni was reappointed as skipper.

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Dhoni is already 41 and he is past his prime. The Chennai-based franchise is expected to look out for a captain at the Indian Premier League 2023 mini-auction. Notably, former SRH captain Kane Williamson and former PBKS skipper Mayank Agarwal are two notable names who will be available at the IPL 2023 mini-auction.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Jaffer asserted that the Kiwi star Devon Conway would replace Dhoni as the wicket-keeper in the side while Gaikwad might be the next leader of the 4-time IPL champions.

“They will stick with Devon Conway (as wicketkeeper) I feel. He is the next in line. MS might look at somebody else as well. I don’t know who that will be. I feel they’ll have their eyes on who is gonna lead CSK after Dhoni. Gaikwad could be that one. Because he is young. He captains Maharashtra as well. They might look to develop him as the next leader and probably give him some responsibility.” Jaffer told ESPNCricinfo.

I hope Dube, Mukesh, Hangargekar, and Subhranshu Senapati have a good season – Wasim Jaffer

Jaffer further said that he is hopeful that the likes of Shivam Dube, Mukesh Chowdhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar and Subhranshu Senapati perform well under the leadership of Dhoni in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

“I hope Shivam Dube, Mukesh Chowdhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, and even Subhranshu Senapati – these guys need to have a good season.

“I hope these guys get an opportunity because this is the last season they will play along with Dhoni. So you want them to turn this season around. Become a better player and hopefully take the legacy forward. So these Indian guys need to stand up.

“Dube had a few seasons under his belt. But these 3 guys, Hangargekar hasn’t played any game, and Subhranshu hasn’t played any game. But you want these guys to take that leap from Dhoni and learn the trade and become better players – which we have seen with Chahar, Gaikwad and all the others that have developed. You want the Indian talent to come up in the IPL, that’s what I am looking forward to with this franchise,” Jaffer added.

Also Read: IPL 2023 Auction: “MS Dhoni Is The Best Captain; CSK Will Have To Find An Option For Him” – Harbhajan Singh