Former India player Mohammad Kaif refused to accept Ruturaj Gaikwad as the captain of the Chennai Super Kings. He said the young skipper is just the face, with MS Dhoni still being the real captain of the five-time champions.
Dhoni left the captaincy before the start of the Indian Premier League 2024 and appointed Ruturaj as the new skipper of the most successful franchise in the tournament.
Dhoni wanted to groom a new leader before he retired from the Indian Premier League and found one in Gaikwad. The veteran promised Ruturaj help from behind the stumps while telling the new leader to make decisions independently.
Kaif doesn’t seem to buy this story. “Ruturaj Gaikwad is just the face as captaincy is with MS Dhoni. He is the real skipper of the team and is taking all the important decisions from behind the stumps. You can’t replace him as a captain that easily,” Mohammad Kaif said on Star Sports.
Dhoni has played several cameos for the defending champions in the death overs. However, CSK are struggling, having lost two consecutive matches against Lucknow Super Giants.
They are fourth in the points table after winning five out of eight games.