Last Update: May 01, 2023, 2:28 PM IST
Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni (Image Credit: Sportzpix)
Considering his age, there is a possibility that Dhoni may bid adieu to competitive cricket after this IPL.
Wasim Akram has predicted the next captain of Chennai Super Kings amid speculation that Mahendra Singh Dhoni may retire from IPL after the current season. Talking about the topic, Akram mentioned Ajinkya Rahane as Dhoni’s rightful successor to take over the responsibility of leading the Yellow Army.
Dhoni handed over the captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja in the last season. However, the Indian all-rounder failed to capitalize on the opportunity and it affected his individual performances as well.
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Ruling out the possibility of Jadeja returning to the role, Akram said on Sportskeeda, “I think Chennai will not get a better option than Rahane as he is a local player and has been consistent. As we have seen, local players tend to be more successful in franchise tournaments.”
Chennai acquired the services of England Test captain Ben Stokes for a staggering Rs 16.25 crore in the December mini-auction. While fans are hoping to see Stokes as the next CSK skipper, Akram believes that Rahane would be better suited for that role.
“Foreign players are not able to lead as they cannot even remember the names of their teammates. So Rahane would prove to be a great captain for Chennai if Dhoni decides he has had enough,” explained the legendary pacer .
Super Kings bought Ajinkya Rahane at a comparatively low price of Rs 50 lakhs. The experienced batsman failed to make it into the playing XI of Chennai in the first few matches. But when given the opportunity, Rahane showed his class and scored some game-changing knocks to cement his place in the Chennai middle-order. Rahane has scored 224 runs this season at an impressive strike rate of 189.83. He has scored 2 fifties in just 7 matches.
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The Chennai franchise opted to re-induct Dhoni as captain at the end of last season, after Jadeja failed to bring positive results. Considering his age, there is a possibility that Dhoni may bid adieu to competitive cricket after this IPL.
Akram wants Chennai to lift their fifth IPL trophy this season, which according to him will be a perfect farewell for the legendary captain.
In Chennai’s last match against Punjab Kings, the spectators at Chepauk caught glimpses of Dhoni’s finishing masterclass. Stepping into the crease on the second ball of the final over, the Chennai skipper hit two massive sixes in his brief three-ball stint as his team finished with 200 on the board. But the Chennai bowling unit could not defend the target and Punjab won by 4 wickets in the last ball.
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