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'Just A Week Before...': Gaikwad Recalls Dhoni's Brotherly Advice After Handing CSK's Reins

Soumyajit Dutta

MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad [Source: @abhaysingh_13/X.com]MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad [Source: @abhaysingh_13/X.com]

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Almost every IPL fan knows about CSK and their emotions for MS Dhoni however, when 'Thala' decided to step down from captaincy and handed it to Ruturaj Gaikwad, the yellow camp was startled. Ruturaj Gaikwad has recently revealed that whirlwind moment when MS Dhoni unexpectedly passed him the captaincy reins just a week before the start of the IPL 2024 season. 

The 28-year-old opener, a CSK mainstay since his 2018 debut, described the shock, pressure of stepping into Dhoni’s legendary shoes and Dhoni's advice during a candid chat on ‘Power-Play’, streaming on JioHotstar.

Gaikwad Reveals Unheard Captaincy Handover Story From MSD

Ruturaj Gaikwad, instrumental in CSK’s 2021 title triumph, recounted how Dhoni approached him days before the tournament. 

“Just a week before the tournament last year, MS Dhoni came up to me and said, ‘I’m not leading this year—you are.’ I was taken aback, asking, ‘From the first game? Are you sure?’ With just a few days to prepare, it was overwhelming,” he admitted.

The Maharashtra batter, who cemented his place as a CSK stalwart during the 2020 season, emphasized Dhoni’s hands-off yet brotherly approach post-handover. 

“But he assured me, ‘This is your team. You make your own decisions. I won’t interfere—except when field placements are a 50-50 call. Even then, it’s not a compulsion to follow my advice. That trust meant a lot to me,” Gaikwad shared.

Under Gaikwad’s leadership, CSK finished fifth in the 2024 season, narrowly missing playoff qualification after a tense final league match. Despite the setback, MS Dhoni’s mentorship remained a cornerstone, with the veteran opting to play purely as a wicketkeeper-batter.

Fresh Start in IPL 2025

As CSK gears up for its IPL 2025 opener against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians, followed by a clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Gaikwad’s leadership will face renewed scrutiny. 

The franchise, known for its stability, has doubled down on its faith in the young captain, betting on the blend of his strategies and Dhoni’s seasoned guidance.

CSK is set to play the match against Mumbai Indians on March 23 followed by the match against RCB on March 28. at MA Chidambaram Stadium.