MS Dhoni is all set for one last dance in the Indian Premier League. The 42-year-old cricketer is retained by Chennai Super Kings for the IPL 2024 season and is expected to lead the team. Dhoni had a great last season as he revived his declining form by playing some important cameos. It demonstrated that he can play the role of finisher for another season. In 2023, under Dhoni’s leadership, CSK clinched their 5th IPL title which is another reason he gave a nod to the 2024 season.
However, the IPL 2024 might be the last season for the most iconic captain in Indian cricket history. Amid, CSK needs to groom a player who could fill MS Dhoni’s shoes. Meanwhile, rumors were going viral that during the IPL trade window, Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson was offered by CSK to join as Captain. The rumors further claimed that Sanju rejected the offer to continue with his current franchise.
Ashwin dismisses news of Sanju Samson declining the offer to captain CSK
An X user shared a tweet claiming that R Ashwin, who is a teammate of Sanju Samson at Rajasthan Royals, disclosed details about the offer on his YouTube channel. The tweet read, “Sanju Samson was approached by CSK as a captain which was nearly finalised. But it didn’t go through Sanju rejected their offer. There is a definite possibility in future”
Now, Ravichandran Ashwin has personally addressed the viral tweet, labeling it as fake. In his response, the Rajasthan Royals spinner wrote, “Fake news! Don’t lie quoting me” on his X account.
Fake news! Dont lie quoting me 🙏
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) November 29, 2023
Sanju Samson set to become most capped Rajasthan Royals captain
The Kerala-born cricketer has been leading the RR side since 2021. The IPL 2022 was the best season for him as a skipper as Rajasthan finished in the 2nd position on the table and went on to play the final. However, they suffered a defeat against Gujarat Titans in the title match.
Overall, Samson has led the Pink-attired team in 45 matches, winning 22 games with a win percentage of 48.88. In the upcoming season, he is expected to become the most capped captain for Rajasthan Royals in history surpassing Shane Warne’s record of 56 matches.
Who can be CSK Captain after MS Dhoni?
The current CSK squad presents some options for potential successors to MS Dhoni in terms of captaincy. Ruturaj Gaikwad is emerging as the top choice, especially after leading the Indian team to an Asian Games gold medal. Additionally, players like Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja within the CSK squad are also considered strong contenders for the captaincy role, given their experience.
ALSO READ: Chennai Super Kings’ Retained and Released Players List for IPL 2024
The upcoming IPL Auction in December 2024, could also be a crucial opportunity for CSK to secure a potential captain. Players such as Manish Pandey and Pat Cummins may catch the attention of CSK management, not just for their cricketing prowess but also for their leadership skills.