On the eve of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024's opener, MS Dhoni made headlines by stepping down from Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) captaincy. The five-time IPL title holders announced Ruturaj Gaikwad as their new captain. Adding to the buzz, a video has surfaced online that has left fans guessing. The video shows a pilot who bears a very strong resemblance to Dhoni. The pilot is dressed in a pilot's uniform and is seen talking to a flight attendant.
This has led to speculation that Dhoni might have taken up a new career as a pilot after stepping down from his captaincy role. The pilot's voice also seems similar to Dhoni's, further fueling the speculation. However, some people believe that this video might be for an advertisement, and Dhoni isn't actually a pilot. The video, shot by a passenger on the plane, has gone viral and sparked much debate online.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
This is how fans reacted to Dhoni's pilot avatar
The video sparked various reactions on social media. Some fans remained loyal, with one user commenting, "Thala (leader) for a reason," expressing unwavering support for Dhoni. Another user, perhaps hinting at a potential career shift, jokingly said, "Thala left captaincy for doing this" (referring to becoming a pilot). However, some viewers were more skeptical, with another remarking, "Marketing campaign of some kind," suggesting the video might be an advertisement.
Dhoni left the CSK captaincy on March 21 right ahead of the blockbuster clash between CSK and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 22. The CSK officially announced the news on their social media platform, stating that Dhoni had passed on the captaincy baton to young opener Ruturaj Gaikwad.
"MS Dhoni has handed over Chennai Super Kings' captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the start of TATA IPL 2024. Ruturaj has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings since 2019 and has played 52 matches in IPL during this period. The team looks forward to the upcoming season," CSK franchishe stated in a press release.
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During his time as captain, the CSK became a dominant force in the IPL, securing a record-tying five titles, putting them on par with the Mumbai Indians. This impressive feat cemented Dhoni's place as one of the most decorated captains in IPL history. His leadership wasn't limited to the IPL. He also led the Indian national team to victory in two ICC Champions Trophy tournaments in 2010 and 2014, further solidifying his reputation as a captain who delivers wins. There was a brief detour with the Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) in 2016, but that season proved difficult, with only a handful of wins. Dhoni stepped down as captain the following year, passing the torch to Australian cricketer Steve Smith.
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