IPL 2022, CSK vs. KKR: Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan opened up on MS Dhoni’s decision to hand over the captaincy of CSK to his teammate Ravindra Jadeja ahead of IPL 2022.
Ravindra Jadeja told me Dhoni has announced his intention to step down as captain after IPL 2021: CSK CEO (courtesy of BCCI)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Jadeja told me that Dhoni has announced his intention to leave the captaincy after IPL 2021: CSK CEO
- MS Dhoni handed the CSK captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the 2022 IPL
- That’s not what I expected from MS at the time: CSK CEO
Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan revealed that newly appointed captain Ravindra Jadeja told him MS Dhoni had hinted last season that he wanted to give up the captaincy and the Indian all-rounder needed to take on more responsibility.
Dhoni resigned as CSK captain on Wednesday, handing the baton to Ravindra Jadeja, who will lead the four-time champion’s title defense in the 2022 IPL, which begins on March 26 in Mumbai.
CSK’s social media team posted a video on Saturday in which CEO Kasi Vishwanathan was seen speaking about Dhoni’s decision to leave the CSK captaincy. The CEO of CSK said he was surprised at the sudden departure of MS Dhoni’s captain, but added that any decision made by the legendary wicketkeeper was in the best interest of the franchise.
“Whatever MS does is in the best interest of the franchise.” – Kasi Sir Speaks at #7#8 #Yellow #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/Iih0XBndfl
– Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 26, 2022
“When I heard the news I was a little surprised. I didn’t expect this to come from MS at the time. That’s my personal opinion. In fact, whatever MS is doing as far as CSK is concerned, it will be in the doing the best interest of the franchise. He was one of the most important players, a captain, a wicketkeeper, a rounder for CSK. I think whatever he does, whatever decision he makes, it’s going to be the right decision for CSK because I know that he has the interests of CSK first in mind,” Viswanathan said on CSK’s YouTube channel.
“I spoke to Jaddu in the evening when we went to training. He told me that MS told him after IPL last year that he needed to take on more responsibility. He had also hinted that he (Jadeja) may one day have to take over the captaincy. The fact that Dhoni will play alongside him for matching input will also help Jaddu (Jadeja) to get input from MS. It should be of great help,” added Viswanathan.
In a statement, CSK said Dhoni will continue to represent Chennai Super Kings this season and beyond. “MS Dhoni has decided to step down from leadership of the Chennai Super Kings and has chosen Ravindra Jadeja to lead the team. Jadeja, who has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings since 2012, will become only the third player to lead CSK. Dhoni will continue to represent Chennai Super Kings this season and beyond,” read the CSK statement.
