IPL 2022: MS Dhoni quits CSK captaincy, Jadeja to take over

The World Cup-winning captain has always been his own man when it comes to leaving captaincy or announcing his retirement. He quit Test captaincy and also the five-day game in the middle of a series in Australia in 2014. And when he thought Virat Kohli was ready to lead India across formats, Dhoni made way for him in 2017.

Hyderabad:Mahendra Singh Dhoni has quit Chennai Super Kings' captaincy and the team will now be led by all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. The announcement was made via CSK's twitter account through an official statement on Thursday.

"MS Dhoni has decided to hand over the leadership of Chennai Super Kings and picked Ravindra Jadeja to lead the team. Jadeja, who has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings since 2012, will only be the third player to lead CSK. Dhoni will continue to represent Chennai Super Kings this season and beyond," the statement said.

Jadeja has been a part of the squad since 2012 and he will be the third player to marshal the Men In Yellow in the upcoming IPL 2022 that will start from March 26. In 204 matches led by Dhoni, one of the most successful teams, CSK, have won 121 matches and lost 82 with one match ending with any result. The win percentage has been 59.60. Under Dhoni's wings, CSK has been crowned IPL champions four times in 2010, 2011, 2018 and 2021. The team also won Champions League T20 titles twice in 2010 and 2014. The solidity of Dhoni's captaincy is reflected in CSK securing five runners-up positions in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2019.

In 220 IPL matches, Dhoni has scored 4746 runs at an average of nearly 40 with a massive strike rate of 135.83. He has 23 half-centuries to his name with the highest being 84 runs. CSK will open their IPL 2022 campaign against two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders in a re-match of the 2021 IPL final at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.

The World Cup-winning captain has always been his own man when it comes to leaving captaincy or announcing his retirement. He quit Test captaincy and also the five-day game in the middle of a series in Australia in 2014. And when he thought Virat Kohli was ready to lead India across formats, Dhoni made way for him in 2017.

Though the inspirational leader carried on to play the IPL after announcing his international retirement in his inimitable style, his decision to hand over the CSK leadership to Jadeja was not entirely surprising. Dhoni knew that he can't go on forever and the 33-year-old Jadeja, who is at the peak of his prowess, is ready for the challenge. The southpaw was CSK's number one retention before the auction ahead of Dhoni, Moeen Ali and Ruturaj Gaekwad.

The announcement still took CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan by surprise but he said "if Dhoni takes a decision, it has to be in the best interest of the team". "See whatever decision MS takes it is in the best interest of the team. So there is nothing to worry for us. We respect his decision. He is always there to guide us," Viswanthan told PTI. "He has always been the guiding force and will continue to be the guiding force."

Asked if the 2022 edition can be his last season, the CEO added: "I don't think it will be his last season. As long as he is fit, we want him to play. That is my wish, I don't know about him (what he thinks)." On Jadeja's ascension as captain, Viswanathan said the all-rounder is primed to do well.

"See Jaddu will do well. He is probably in the best form of his career. He will definitely do well under MS' guidance. Jaddu has been with us for 10 years and he very well knows the team culture," he added.

With PTI