Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has backed Ravindra Jadeja to take over Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) captaincy when MS Dhoni decides to hang up his boots. Gavaskar was asked about Dhoni's successor when rain interrupted the match between CSK and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Ekana Cricket Stadium on May 3.
Gavaskar feels Jadeja is more experienced than last season and is capable of donning the captaincy hat. He named CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad as top candidate for Jadeja’s deputy.
"I would give Ravindra Jadeja another go. He could have not been at his best last year. Captaincy is not easy, he might have found it tough last time, now he is experienced, and now he has come back. I would give Ravi Jadeja another go at captaincy. I would have Ruturaj Gaikwad as vice-captain so that you are already building up for the future. Ravi Jadeja is 30 or 31 now, so you are building your line of succession," Gavaskar said.
Jadeja made his Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 captaincy debut in last season. He led the four-time champions in eight games out of which CSK lost six. The all-rounder stepped down from the role midway through the season as Dhoni led CSK once again. Jadeja’s all-round performance took a hit as well when he was in charge of the second-most successful IPL franchise.
While the 73-year-old backed Jadeja to captain CSK, former Australian captain Aaron Finch feels that Gaikwad should be Dhoni's successor.
"The calmness of Ruturaj Gaikwad, the way he goes about his game. But there is that calmness, that such a huge part of being a leader, being there for everybody else and not just for you. That's a big part. I would want him," Finch said.
Throughout the ongoing IPL season, Dhoni has given hints that he would retire while thanking the crowd for their support. But when former New Zealand cricketer-turned-commentator asked Dhoni at the coin toss against LSG about his farewell tour, the 41-year-old replied, “You've decided it is my last IPL, not me” which made the Lucknow crowd go berserk.
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