In 2022, the Super Kings initially handed the captaincy to Ravindra Jadejabut the left-arm spinner relinquished the role midway through the tournament due to a string of losses, subsequently returning the leadership responsibility to Dhoni.Since then, Dhoni has continued to lead CSK and guided them to their record-equalling fifth IPL title in 2023. However, at 42, Dhoni’s age is a factor, and Chennai will eventually need to identify a new leader.
“With the Impact Player rule, he (Dhoni) can take a back seat and promote someone to captain their side in the middle (overs). So this year might be a transition year for CSK. If it’s his last year, if he decides to play for a few more years, I think he would be the captain. I would personally like to see him as a captain,” Rayudu, who retired from all forms of cricket last year, told Star Sports Press Room.
Dhoni recently stirred up social media with a Facebook post hinting at a new role for himself in this year’s IPL.
Rayudu, who will be making his debut as a commentator during IPL 2024further speculated that Dhoni is unlikely to promote himself up the order and instead prefers to provide opportunities to younger players.
“With Dhoni bhai you never know, but knowing him and what’s happened in the last few seasons, I doubt that he would really promote himself up the order and he would promote a youngster there because (New Zealand’s Devon) Conway is injured.
“I’m sure with his batting he may promote himself one or two up, but not in the top order,” opined Rayudu, who has played 55 ODIs and six T20Is for India and was the CSK batting mainstay for several years, with his peak coming in 2018 when he scored 602 runs.
Rayudu added that Dhoni still has absolute commitment to the franchise.
“I think if he has decided to play this season and if he is even 10 percent fit, he will definitely play the full season and knowing him, injury will not keep him out of the game and he has played through many injuries.
“Even during the last season, he was playing with a very bad knee injury. So, I don’t think anything will stop him from playing full season.”
Rayudu added that Dhoni keeps faith in players once they find a place in his short-list.
“He (Dhoni) observes the team, and the players and how they are going about, who is ready, who is not ready, then he fills up his 12-13 players quietly and he keeps them constant for the whole season,” said Rayudu.
(With inputs from PTI)
