MS Dhoni already planning CSK transition!! CSK captain's close friend reveals Behind the Scenes story at CSK camp

Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu made intriguing remarks about MS Dhoni’s role in the Chennai Super Kings for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Ambati Rayudu said that MS Dhoni might share the captaincy with another player in the upcoming season.

MS Dhoni retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020, but continued to represent the Chennai Super Kings in the lucrative league. Speculations have surrounded the legendary skipper’s retirement from the tournament for the past two to three seasons.

Dhoni relinquished the captaincy to Jadeja before the start of the 2022 campaign. However, the all-rounder managed only two victories out of eight games before Dhoni resumed leadership. Jadeja played under the captaincy of Dhoni in the subsequent IPL season.

The veteran wicketkeeper-batter led the CSK team to secure their fifth title, equaling a record, in last year’s final match against the Gujarat Titans. The team led by MS Dhoni clinched a thrilling victory in a last-ball finish at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

MS Dhoni Can Take A Back Seat – Ambati Rayudu

Speaking on the Star Sports ‘Press Room’, Ambati Rayudu discussed the potential transitional phase in CSK’s captaincy. Rayudu stated that if Dhoni chooses to continue playing, he will probably remain the captain and groom his successor for the Super Kings.

“With the impact player rule, he can take a back seat and promote someone to captain their side in the middle. So this year might be a transition year for CSK if it’s his last year, if he decides to play for a few more years, I think he would be the captain. I would personally like him to see as a captain,” Rayudu told Star Sports.

Ambati Rayudu delivered a remarkable performance in the IPL 2023 final. He scored 19 runs off eight balls with crucial boundaries and sixes, which shifted the momentum in Chennai’s favor.

The Jharkhand-born cricketer stands as the most successful captain in the tournament’s history. The wicketkeeper-batter has led his teams to victory in 133 out of 226 games throughout his IPL career, guiding successful campaigns in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023.

MS Dhoni Will Definitely Play The Full Season – Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu emphasized MS Dhoni’s commitment to playing every match of the season, even if not completely fit. Rayudu noted that a knee injury did not hinder Dhoni’s determination to compete in the previous IPL season.

“I think if he has decided to play this season and if he is even 10% fit, he will definitely play the full season and knowing him, injury will not keep him out of the game and he has played through many injuries. Even during last season he was playing with a very bad knee injury, so I don’t think anything will stop him from playing this full season,” said Rayudu.

The Chennai Super Kings will enter IPL 2024 as the defending champions. The Chennai-based franchise will face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their opening match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday, March 22.

Also read: Robin Uthappa reveals MS Dhoni’s IPL future with ‘wheelchair’ bombshell