Stephen Fleming proposed and MS Dhoni said “yes”. There was never any quizzical look, once Chennai Super Kings management came to know about the severity of Ruturaj Gaikwad’s elbow injury. In crisis, they needed their ‘captain’ to steady the ship. Cometh the need, cometh Dhoni.
“Ruturaj would be out of action at least for three-four weeks,” a CSK insider told RevSportz. “Fleming went to Dhoni and asked him to take charge and he said ‘yes’. The team hasn’t been doing well and Dhoni is the only man in that dressing room to lead the side at this moment in time. And he is someone who will never say ‘no’ if the franchise needs him.”
CSK are placed ninth in the table with four losses and only one win in their first four matches. Fortess Chepauk is getting breached for fun. Another home defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday could well be the long kiss goodnight for the five-time IPL champions.
“We haven’t started well and need to bounce back. Ruturaj’s injury is unfortunate, but we had to act. Who better than Dhoni to take up the leadership mantle? Dhoni had no hesitation. He was ready to guide the side out of this situation. There was never a doubt.”
Dhoni relinquished CSK captaincy last year and made Gaikwad the chosen one. The team failed to reach the playoffs. They have started poorly this term. Gaikwad was hit on his elbow during the game against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. And although he played the next two matches, against Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings, an MRI revealed a fracture.