IPL 2024 Teams Preview: Strategies, captaincy updates, players' stats and more

1. Chennai Super Kings

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings have changed their captain ahead of IPL 2024. Legendary cricketer MS Dhoni resigned from the position as the five-time champions named Ruturaj Gaikwad as the next leader of the locker room. He has done a good job for Maharashtra in domestic cricket but IPL is a different ball game. Dhoni will surely guide him from time to time but one can’t forget when the experiment with Ravindra Jadeja failed.

When it comes to team composition, youngster Rachin Ravindra will open alongside Gaikwad, while Ajinkya Rahane is likely to bat at number three. Either Daryl Mitchell or Moeen Ali will bat at number five, while all eyes will be on youngster Sameer Razvi, who is likely to play at number five replacing now-retired Ambati Rayudu.

Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni will once again play the finisher’s role, while they have a long tail in the form of Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur. Under Dhoni, both have done exceptionally well in the cash-rich league and now it needs to be seen, how they perform without him in the helm of things. Meanwhile, Matheesa Pathirana has been ruled out of the initial few matches, which may make room for Mustafizur Rahman to play his first game in Chennai colours while Maheesh Theekshana will partner Jadeja in the spin department.

Can they recreate the same magic without MS Dhoni? They have the squad and the support of Dhoni to repeat history but it won’t be easy. Nevertheless, the fans should enjoy Dhoni’s last dance, given that Chepauk won’t be the same anymore. 

Also Read: CSK IPL History from 2008 to 2024