Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were left in a tight spot when Ravindra Jadeja resigned from his role as the captain of the franchise in the middle of the season last year and gave it back to MS Dhoni, who is gearing up to lead the four-time winners in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. Dhoni had promised that he will play his final IPL game in front of the Chepauk crowd and most likely 2023 will be his final season in the IPL. With Jadeja not an option anymore, CSK acquired England all-rounder and Test captain Ben Stokes probably looking at the future. However, former batter Suresh Raina didn’t pick Stokes as Dhoni’s successor.
Raina said that he would like the young opener Ruturaj Gaikad to take up the responsibility of CSK’s captaincy after Dhoni. Gaikwad, who had a rough start to his IPL career in 2020, made up for a poor beginning with three half-centuries in a row before winning the Orange Cap in the title-winning season for CSK in 2021, scoring 635 runs.
In an interaction with Jio Cinema, Raina said, “Abhi Mahi bhai hain, I really want Ruturaj Gaikwad to nurture around him. I think, Mahi bhai has a good brain. Definitely, he is around the boys. So yeah, I would say, hopefully, Ruturaj Gaikwad. He has done really well this season and I want him to do well for the country as well as Chennai Super Kings. Rutu, good luck for your captaincy brother!”
Raina, who is representing India Maharajas in Legends League Cricket (LLC) Masters, hoped the Dhoni would be available to play in the exhibition tournament next year, however, he wasn’t too sure if 2023 will be the legendary captain’s final season in the IPL. Raina was highly optimistic saying that Dhoni has been looking really fit in the training and if he keeps his shape, he can play next year as well.
Speaking on the sidelines of LLC Masters, Raina said, “I wish he could, but we’ll have to see what his commitments are. He can play the IPL next year as well, you never know.”
“He’s been batting well and looking fit, it depends on how the performance is this year. It may be a little challenging since him and (Ambati) Rayudu haven’t played the tournament since one year. I think the team is quite strong, a lot of young players are coming through the ranks. (Ruturaj) Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja), (Ben) Stokes, Deepak Chahar…and there are more young and dynamic players in that side. Let’s see how they play,” Raina said on CSK’s chances in IPL 2023.
