Not Ben Stokes! Ex-CSK superstar thinks THIS batter will lead team for a decade after MS Dhoni’s retirement

There was excitement when English skipper Ben Stokes was roped in by the franchise for the 16th edition of the IPL.


Not Ben Stokes! Ex-CSK superstar thinks THIS batter will lead team for a decade after MS Dhoni’s retirement

CSK (Image via ESPNCricinfo)

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star Ambati Rayudu feels youngster Ruturaj Gaikwad will be given the captaincy responsibilities after the retirement of current captain MS Dhoni. There was excitement when English skipper Ben Stokes was roped in by the franchise for the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Many believed the main reason behind signing Stokes was to make him the next captain. However, it’s unlikely that Stokes will be handed the responsibility, given that his availability in the cash-rich league is an issue due to his injuries. He could play just two matches in IPL 2023 before returning to England to rehabilitate before the Ashes series.

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CSK have experimented with Ravindra Jadeja after Dhoni’s abrupt relinquishment of captaincy in IPL 2022. However, they experienced a flop show, as a consequence of which Dhoni took up the role midway.

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Ambati Rayudu says Ruturaj Gaikwad will be a successful captain if MS Dhoni grooms him

Not Ben Stokes! Ex-CSK superstar thinks THIS batter will lead team for a decade after MS Dhoni's retirement
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Image via ESPNCricinfo)

But Ambati Rayudu, who is a six time IPL winner opined that CSK’s search for their next captain will stop at Ruturaj Gaikwad who has enjoyed giving a strong start with opening partner Devon Conway. It’s due to their partnership which helped CSK cross the 200-run mark on many occasions.

If Mahi [Dhoni] bhai grooms him, he can lead the team for seven, eight, or ten years at a stretch,” Rayudu said in a recent interview with Behind Wood TV. He added that Gaikwad, who is a calm and down-to-earth guy, is in good hands with Dhoni and coach Stephen Fleming.

Gaikwad has interesting numbers as a batter. He scored 635 runs in IPL 2021 and 590 runs in IPL 2023, and played a crucial role in CSK’s title-winning campaign in both seasons.

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