Dhoni Drops Captaincy Bombshell - Is Ruturaj the New CSK King?

MS Dhoni shocks fans, steps down as CSK captain after over a decade at the helm.

Image Source : CSK / Twitter X

Rising star Ruturaj Gaikwad, 27, appointed as new CSK skipper ahead of IPL 2024 opener against RCB.

[{"selector":"#anim-b8c8d6c0-4778-404e-868d-81e3f6090000 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5ed4914c-abcb-4828-9f29-45b2a6971b28","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-124.63768%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5f3c3783-61d0-48cf-9607-991020967555","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fa847b5f-3c46-4564-85ea-94b3edfe087b","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source : CSK / Twitter X

Dhoni led CSK to 5 IPL titles, 2 Champions League T20 triumphs, cementing his legacy as a captaincy legend.

[{"selector":"#anim-bc7c6495-0a42-4e8d-8eaa-4f4a3090302c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2ac8d696-1b0a-4b41-9354-89c5c1e8382f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-126.38889%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4b77064e-8458-4c34-a63d-20a836141e56","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7e3b8dfc-4635-49d1-8bbd-eb4e0cb5f0ea","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source : CSK / Twitter X Learn more

Gaikwad, CSK's 7th highest run-scorer, to lead defending champions' charge under Dhoni's mentorship.

[{"selector":"#anim-b0a309ec-6832-4532-86c6-d25c14e67597 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3cdb2f61-cf07-48e9-8047-90841bf43a04","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-128.6219%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d9b21e96-8d4e-4838-b38a-ba0f20a36c69","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f916d246-455e-4201-9de6-b1cfac71a3c3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source : CSK / Twitter X Learn more

Fans bid emotional farewell to "Thalaiva" Dhoni's iconic captaincy era, welcome Gaikwad as new leader.

[{"selector":"#anim-ea0ae98a-cfe7-4f1b-a81a-ddc9e1a31130 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6cebbeaa-840b-4ed1-8873-a1c989ca54d4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-124.63768%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-77a11d88-fdc8-4636-a9c5-79466461fb1b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3a689e01-7b17-4656-a572-4ed2270b07b8","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source : CSK / Twitter X Learn more

CSK's "Whistle Podu" army eagerly awaits Gaikwad's debut as captain against RCB on March 24.

[{"selector":"#anim-387b7408-0fec-4221-b4cb-c144a0dde44c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c4784b34-013b-4b36-97dc-33ac680d53cb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.73914%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a48bac2e-aa6d-4c4c-9b1a-85859dc4bb7a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-25dbcf66-7352-4620-b965-9d6950fa4a79","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source : CSK / Twitter X Learn more

Dhoni's presence in dressing room to guide Gaikwad, ensuring a smooth transition for the franchise.

[{"selector":"#anim-bfa1eb26-7168-423a-9523-794361e03f64 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3f279538-21f9-4c76-9413-67692dc0a2c1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-124.63768%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fe614a0d-8338-4974-b93e-b2a6e32ee377","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1404ef4e-4dd8-4cfd-badc-77be1457fce3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source : CSK / Twitter X Learn more

Gaikwad's first challenge: Decide opening partner with Devon Conway ruled out due to injury.

[{"selector":"#anim-13fff83d-ee86-417e-b766-e732c06dc343 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5e6713c2-71d3-43cc-a553-843d34a150fc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-124.63768%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0b6f9377-343d-498b-88ab-ffa3186074fc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ae5c02d9-b309-4394-bc63-f108bfc0f14f","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source : CSK / Twitter X Learn more

CSK fans express gratitude for Dhoni, offer support to "Rutu" Gaikwad in his new leadership role.

[{"selector":"#anim-3d1c3a28-fd83-425d-9a41-adc5ee495027 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bd98a676-f3c3-4378-a787-2cdab294b5fc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.73914%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f1a6b0f4-d684-4a67-9295-7027b2c9d5e8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b93ea251-e44c-4392-9376-d0f24e14768e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source : CSK / Twitter X Learn more

A new era dawns for CSK as Gaikwad takes over captaincy reins from the legendary Dhoni.

[{"selector":"#anim-0297985c-3791-4ac3-be27-fc42297b749a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1a6e549d-a8a4-44e4-b380-14827d477648","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-125%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f85a45bd-8e92-46fd-bf5b-cf64a707091e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8cf78583-c1f9-43c8-8fb0-eede4b4f682c","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source : CSK / Twitter X Learn more