Cricket

Mumbai Indians Express Solidarity with Chennai Super Kings After Captaincy ChangeThe Indian Premier League (IPL) witnessed a significant shift in leadership as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) announced the appointment of Ruturaj Gaikwad as their new captain, replacing the legendary MS Dhoni. In a heartfelt gesture, Mumbai Indians (MI), another IPL powerhouse, extended their support to CSK on social media.MI shared an image of Rohit Sharma and Dhoni, the captains of their respective teams, adorned in their IPL jerseys. The caption featured yellow and blue heart emojis, symbolizing the bond between the two franchises, with an infinity sign representing their enduring legacy.The announcement of Gaikwad's captaincy comes after Rohit Sharma, who led MI to five IPL titles, was replaced by Hardik Pandya ahead of the 2024 season. The decision has sparked speculation about Dhoni's playing future with CSK, as he is widely expected to retire at the end of the season.CSK's statement on the captaincy change highlighted Gaikwad's contributions to the team since his debut in 2019. The 26-year-old has played 52 IPL matches for CSK, showcasing his exceptional batting skills and leadership qualities.The transition to Gaikwad as captain is seen as a strategic move by CSK to ensure a smooth handover of leadership while Dhoni remains an integral part of the team. Gaikwad's experience in international cricket, having represented India in ODIs and T20Is, will be invaluable in his new role.The IPL community has reacted positively to the captaincy change, recognizing the potential of Gaikwad to lead CSK to future success. The upcoming season promises to be an exciting one, with the battle for the IPL trophy intensifying as teams navigate the challenges of a new era of leadership.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend MS Dhoni has been diligently preparing for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, showcasing his exceptional batting skills in a recent practice session. At the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Dhoni faced the CSK bowlers with unwavering determination.In a widely shared video, Dhoni effortlessly dispatched boundaries, including his signature helicopter shot off Deepak Chahar's delivery. Chahar's overpitched ball was met with Dhoni's precise footwork and timing, sending the ball soaring over the midwicket boundary.CSK batting coach Michael Hussey has heaped praise on Dhoni's preparation, comparing him to the ageless Benjamin Button. "He's preparing really well. His knee seems good at this stage. And he's batting extremely well at the moment. I must admit he's like Benjamin Button! He keeps getting better," Hussey remarked.However, Hussey acknowledged that Dhoni's age may affect his running between the wickets. "He's not as young as he used to be. So, the scampering between the wickets is going to be more difficult for him. But at the back end of the innings, where there's not as much sprinting, he can still hit the ball very cleanly," Hussey added.Despite facing knee issues throughout the previous season, Dhoni led CSK to their fifth IPL title. After the IPL 2023 final, he underwent successful knee surgery.The CSK squad for IPL 2024 includes:* MS Dhoni (c)* Moeen Ali* Deepak Chahar* Tushar Deshpande* Shivam Dube* Ruturaj Gaikwad* Rajvardhan Hangargekar* Ravindra Jadeja* Ajay Mandal* Mukesh Choudhary* Ajinkya Rahane* Shaik Rasheed* Mitchell Santner* Simarjeet Singh* Nishant Sindhu* Prashant Solanki* Maheesh Theekshana* Rachin Ravindra* Shardul Thakur* Daryl Mitchell* Sameer Rizvi* Mustafizur Rahman* Avanish Rao Aravelly

Shardul Thakur, the Mumbai all-rounder who played a pivotal role in his team's 42nd Ranji Trophy triumph, is eagerly anticipating his upcoming stint with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Thakur, who has previously played for CSK, is excited to learn from the legendary MS Dhoni, who will be leading the team in the upcoming season.Thakur, who scored 255 runs and claimed 16 wickets in five Ranji matches this season, expressed his admiration for spin-bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian, who was named 'Player of the Tournament' for his outstanding performances with both bat and ball."Dhoni sahab is there, he is one of the greatest cricketers ever in the world. I will play under him again and I have played under him before, so I will try to learn a lot of things and how he gets performance out of players," Thakur said.Thakur's return to CSK marks a significant moment in his career, as it was with this franchise that he first made a name for himself in the IPL. He is confident that he can contribute to the team's success and is eager to learn from Dhoni's leadership.The 17th edition of the IPL is set to kick off on March 22, with defending champions CSK taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening match. Thakur is expected to play a key role for CSK, both with his batting and bowling, as the team looks to retain its title.

MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, is set to embark on another season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). As the tournament approaches, speculation intensifies over whether this could be Dhoni's final campaign in the league.Dhoni's leadership and experience have been instrumental in CSK's success, guiding them to five IPL titles. His calm demeanor and strategic acumen have made him one of the most respected captains in the game. As the Yellow Brigade prepares for the upcoming season, all eyes are on Dhoni to lead them to another shot at glory.While questions linger about his future beyond this season, Dhoni remains focused on the task at hand. He aims to guide CSK to success, starting with the highly anticipated clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the season opener on March 22 at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium.South African legend AB de Villiers believes CSK will once again enter the tournament as title favorites. He praised Dhoni's leadership and the team's unwavering culture. "They are a very intimidating team to play against. They are never easy to beat," said de Villiers.De Villiers also credited Dhoni for creating a winning environment at CSK. "It's through their presence, it's through the leadership of MSD, a calm coach in Stephen Fleming, senior players in Ravi Jadeja, and others who have really set this incredible culture alive," he said.As CSK prepares to defend their title, they face a formidable challenge. However, with Dhoni at the helm, they remain a force to be reckoned with. His experience, leadership, and unwavering determination will be crucial in their quest for another IPL triumph.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is eagerly anticipated, and all eyes are once again on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni. Speculations about his future in the tournament have subsided, and fans are eagerly awaiting the return of 'Thala' for the five-time champions.A recent social media post by CSK featuring Dhoni sporting a red bandana and long hair has sparked excitement among fans. Australia and Delhi Capitals batter David Warner couldn't resist commenting, "Loving the new head band @Mahi."Meanwhile, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has addressed the question of Dhoni's successor as captain. He acknowledged that internal discussions have taken place but emphasized that the decision will be left to the coach and captain."Mr. Srinivasan has made it very clear. Let's not talk about captain and vice-captain appointments. Let's leave it to the coach and the captain to decide. Let them decide and convey the information to me, and then I will convey it to you all," Viswanathan said.CSK's previous attempt to hand over the captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja proved unsuccessful, leading to a mid-season reversal. The franchise is keen to avoid such hasty decisions in the future."See, there have been internal talks. But, Mr. Srinivasan has made it very clear. Let's not talk about captain and vice-captain appointments. Let's leave it to the coach and the captain to decide. Let them decide and convey the information to me, and then I will convey it to you all. He has said that 'the captain and the coach will decide and give us a directive, till then let's all keep quiet'," Viswanathan added.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is actively planning for the future, including the succession plan for the captaincy post MS Dhoni's tenure. While Dhoni will continue to lead CSK in IPL 2024, CEO Kasi Viswanathan has revealed that the franchise is leaving the decision of captaincy appointments to the coach and captain.Viswanathan emphasized that owner N Srinivasan has made it clear that the captain and coach will have the autonomy to make decisions regarding leadership. This approach was evident when CSK entrusted Ravindra Jadeja with the captaincy at the beginning of IPL 2022, only for Dhoni to reclaim the role after a string of poor results.Despite ongoing talks about Dhoni's future in the T20 tournament, the former Indian captain has dismissed retirement rumors and committed to playing for CSK for at least another season. Having recovered from a knee injury, Dhoni has been actively involved in leading CSK's training sessions ahead of the new IPL season.Viswanathan outlined that discussions about leadership succession are ongoing internally but emphasized Srinivasan's directive to let the captain and coach determine the course of action regarding captaincy appointments. He recalled that CSK had entrusted Ravindra Jadeja with the captaincy at the beginning of IPL 2022, only for Dhoni to reclaim the role after a string of poor results.Reflecting on CSK's objectives for IPL 2024, Viswanathan reiterated the franchise's focus on qualifying for the knockouts, a testament to their consistent performance over the years. "Before every season, MS Dhoni tells us 'first let us concentrate on league games. We will look to qualify for the knockouts'," added Viswanathan, highlighting Dhoni's approach to the upcoming season.As CSK gear up for the new season, all eyes will be on their performance on the field and the evolving leadership dynamics within the team, with Dhoni's guidance playing a pivotal role in shaping the franchise's campaign aspirations.

MS Dhoni Returns to CSK Training Camp, Hints at Final IPL SeasonLegendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni has officially joined the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) training camp in preparation for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The highly anticipated tournament kicks off on March 22, and Dhoni's presence has sent ripples of excitement through the CSK camp.In a viral video, Dhoni was spotted wearing CSK's training gear and carrying a couple of bats. The 42-year-old looked sharp and focused as he took part in the practice session at Chepauk on Thursday.Dhoni's return to the CSK camp has fueled speculation that this season could be his last as a player. The former India captain has been battling a knee injury, but he guided CSK to a record-equalling fifth IPL title last season.Despite undergoing knee surgery in Mumbai after the final, Dhoni is determined to lead CSK once again. This will be his 14th season as captain of the franchise, a testament to his enduring leadership qualities.Last week, Dhoni hinted at a "new role" in a cryptic Facebook post. "Can't wait for the new season and the new 'role'. Stay tuned!" he wrote.The post sparked rumors that Dhoni might be transitioning to a coaching role. However, he later clarified that the "new role" referred to a promotional campaign for the IPL."New season, double role!" Dhoni wrote in a subsequent Facebook post. "Excited to be back in action with @ChennaiIPL and also to be a part of the @IPL's new campaign. #DoubleRole #IPL2024."Dhoni's return to the CSK camp has boosted the team's morale and raised expectations for the upcoming season. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter remains a key figure in the CSK setup, both on and off the field.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni's return to the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has ignited a frenzy among the city's cricket enthusiasts. The streets erupted in jubilation as fans thronged to catch a glimpse of their cricketing hero.Dhoni's arrival was captured in a heartwarming video shared by CSK's official social media handle. The iconic CSK team bus, adorned in yellow hues, made its way through the bustling streets towards the hallowed grounds of the Chepauk Stadium, eliciting cheers from every corner. The sight of Dhoni, amidst the sea of faces, served as a poignant reminder of his enduring connection with the city and its people.The video also captured Dhoni sporting his vintage long-hair look during batting practice, evoking fond memories of his illustrious career and his indelible impact on the sport. The official handle captioned the post, "The vintage hair. The classic emotion. Mahi aara hai."Fresh from the pre-wedding festivities of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Jamnagar, Dhoni wasted no time in joining his teammates for the pre-season camp at Chepauk Stadium. The venue buzzed with activity as CSK's star players, including Ruturaj Gaikwad and Deepak Chahar, geared up for the upcoming IPL season.Dhoni, known for his dedication and commitment, displayed his characteristic enthusiasm as he hit the nets with fervor, signaling his readiness to excel once again in the highly anticipated league. With the 17th edition of the IPL drawing closer, excitement reached a fever pitch in Chennai. For Dhoni, the season holds added significance as it may potentially mark his farewell from the league. Nevertheless, the people of Chennai stand firmly behind their captain, ready to rally behind him as he prepares for what could be his last hurrah in the IPL.

Indian wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel showcased his astute cricketing acumen on Day 1 of the fifth Test against England in Dharamsala, executing an MS Dhoni-esque masterplan to dismiss Ollie Pope.Jurel, known for his sharp reading of the game, predicted Pope's intention to step out of his crease against Kuldeep Yadav's spin. In the 26th over, Jurel exclaimed from behind the stumps, "Yeh badhega aage (he will step out)."Kuldeep, heeding Jurel's prediction, delivered a flighted delivery, and Pope obliged by stepping out. Jurel, with lightning-fast reflexes, completed the stumping, leaving Pope dumbstruck.Kuldeep's brilliance continued throughout the first session, bamboozling England's batters. He struck twice, dismissing Ben Duckett and Pope, to leave the visitors at 100 for two at lunch.Duckett's mistimed hit was caught by Shubman Gill, who displayed exceptional athleticism by running backward from cover. Pope, after surviving a close DRS call, fell victim to Kuldeep's googly, stepping out only to be stumped.Kuldeep's emergence as a formidable Test bowler has solidified his place alongside Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in India's spin attack. His ability to flight the ball and deceive batters has made him a potent weapon for the Indian team.