"MS Dhoni stepping down as captain is a huge mistake" - AB de Villiers makes bold remark

AB de Villiers believes MS Dhoni’s decision to step down as the captain of Chennai Super Kings is not a wise one. The former India skipper stunned the cricketing world by relinquishing the captaincy of the team just one day before the start of the IPL 2024.

On Thursday (March 21), CSK announced that MS Dhoni has stepped down as the captain and has been replaced by Ruturaj Gaikwad. The legendary wicketkeeper-batsman is one of the most decorated captains in the history of the IPL. Under his captaincy, CSK won a record-equaling five IPL titles and qualified for the final a record ten times.

CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs just twice in 14 seasons with MS Dhoni in charge. He also led them to two titles in the now-defunct Champions League T20. Ruturaj definitely has his task cut out as Dhoni’s successor. While only time will how Ruturaj fares as a captain, AB de Villiers has said the wicketkeeper-batsman’s decision to step down is a huge mistake.

“I feel MS Dhoni stepping down as captain is a huge mistake,” de Villiers said on JioCinema.

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When MS Dhoni stepped down as the captain last time:

In 2022 as well, MS Dhoni had stepped down as the captain just before the start of the tournament. On that occasion, India allrounder Ravindra Jadeja had replaced the wicketkeeper-batsman as the captain of the Chennai-based outfit.

However, the move did not pay off as CSK struggled to do well under Jadeja’s captaincy. The season was also marred by a huge controversy as the allrounder relinquished the captaincy after just eight games in charge. He also left the tournament midway and MS Dhoni had to take charge of the team once again.

CSK, who began the season as the defending champions, eventually finished at the ninth spot in the ten-team competition after managing to win just four of their 14 league games.

Meanwhile, CSK will open their campaign in IPL 2024 with a mouth-watering clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai on Friday (March 22). With a new captain in charge, the five-time IPL winners will be looking to start their new journey with a win.