The legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni handed over the Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) captaincy baton to his trusted lieutenant and star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on Thursday (March 24).
However the 40-year-old will continue to represent the franchise for the "season and beyond", having led one of the most successful IPL sides since the tournament's inception in 2008 -- barring the two seasons when the team was suspended in the wake of the spot-fixing scandal.
Meanwhile former performance coach Prasanna Agoram of Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) recalled a heavy exchange with Dhoni when the latter told him to keep his advice to himself.
"When I had the opportunity to work with Mahendra Singh Dhoni for Rising Pune Super Giants (RPS) in IPL 2016, the first day we met Dhoni said, "Let's have a chat,"' Prasanna recalled.
"We were in the Pune Stadium and he was about to put his pads on. He asked if he could get me a filter coffee. "Yes please". I replied. Dhoni called the guys there and gave a wink to get a filter coffee, and then continued chatting with me," Prasanna added.
"Look, I know you have a lot of experience in this field and that players like you, and the coach Stephen Fleming got you on board. It's a pleasure to work with you," Dhoni had said.
"Give all the info and strategies to the coach and the players. Get the strategy meetings done with the players along with the coach, but don't expect me to be there and also don't give me any advice until I ask you. But mark a copy on the email on all your communications with the coach and players," Dhoni had added.
"I said this was okay. Then finally the filter coffee arrived. I had a sip and it was a masala chai. Dhoni looked at me with a smile and said, "I am good at stumpings."'
Prasanna Agoram was also the former performance coach for Cricket South Africa, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings in IPL and an ex-technical head at NCA & BCCI.
It can be safely said that CSK couldn't have become the brand it became without the charismatic Dhoni, who developed a special bond with the team and its fanatical fans.
Even when representing Pune Supergiant, when CSK was suspended for two seasons in 2016 and 2017, Dhoni's heart remained with Chennai.
Dhoni, 40, who had announced his international retirement on August 15, 2020, had led CSK to their fourth title last season.
CSK will play KKR in the IPL 2022 opener on March 26.
