Former Indian cricketer Pragyan Ojha opined that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) would look for a new captain that can serve the team for a long time. Chennai’s beloved captain MS Dhoni, who helped them to four IPL titles, is getting old at the age of 41, according to the spinner.
"You asked me a year earlier, I would have thought, maybe Kane Williamson, but whatever I know of CSK, if this is MS Dhoni’s last year, they would want to pass on the captaincy to an individual who can do the role for the next 5-6 years and brings stability to the team," Pragyan Ojha told in a conversation with JioCinema.
Pragyan who played the IPL for the erstwhile Deccan Chargers and then Mumbai Indians, called CSK a 'Blue-chip team' and a team that likes to stay rigid in their stance instead of acting like a 'day trading one'.
"CSK is one such team who does not believe in a lot of changes and hence would look for a long-term captain. CSK is like a blue-chip team and not like a day trading one," Ojha added.
Ojha also made a brave comment that as long as there is MS Dhoni in the team, no other player can replace him as captain. This statement was backed after the 2022 IPL when Ravindra Jadeja was appointed as Dhoni’s successor but soon relinquished the captaincy as Dhoni reprised his role as captain. The team lost six out of eight games under Jadeja’s leadership and the all-rounder is unlikely to be appointed the captain again.
"Till the time MS Dhoni is playing, there can`t be a different captain. It became all the more clear last year," he said.
Dhoni’s retirement from IPL is on the horizon as well, with reports suggesting the 2023 edition is his last. This will leave the CSK management grappling with the issue of appointing a new captain. CSK have released stalwart Dwayne Bravo from the team, and Hyderabad have let go of Kane Williamson. This will make the mini-auction interesting to see who the CSK management have their eyes on as the next captain.
