‘We probably weren't ready for MS to move aside’ - Stephen Fleming reflects on Chennai Super Kings' captaincy change ahead of IPL 2024

With the 17th edition of the IPL (Indian Premier League) all set to kick off on March 22, defending champions Chennai Super Kings came forward with a huge announcement, stating that star batter will be the side’s captain for the IPL 2024, replacing MS Dhoni in the role. 

Dhoni led CSK to their fifth title, defeating Gujarat Titans in the summit clash of the tournament in 2023. However, with Ruturaj Gaikwad replacing the veteran wicketkeeper batter, the fans will be lying in wait to see how the youngster leads one of the most prestigious sides in the tournament. 

Ahead of the new season of the IPL, CSK’s head coach Stephen Fleming came forward to talk about how the franchise did not feel ready for a change in captaincy two years ago, but the situation has changed in 2024.

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"The big thing about a couple of years ago was that we probably weren't ready for MS [Dhoni] to move aside, and what that did was probably shake us as a leadership group or coaches into looking at the possibility of when he does go and up until that stage that was almost unthinkable," Fleming was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. 

Sowed the seeds for us to work pretty hard: Fleming

Furthermore, Stephen Fleming reflected on how they have been preparing the younger players to be ready to take on the mantle of skipper at CSK. Moreover, he also pointed out the pace at which they planned the move well ahead in time so that the new skipper would be self-sufficient when he takes the field for Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming IPL edition.

Also Read: 'Feels good, It's a privilege' - Ruturaj Gaikwad reacts after Chennai Super Kings appoint him as new skipper

"It sowed the seeds for us to work pretty hard on making sure that any mistakes that were [made] during that time aren't made again. And that the leadership isn't a secret, we've been working really hard on making sure that plans are in place and all the players are self-sufficient. We're more prepared now because that jolted us into looking at life after [Dhoni] and in some ways we've been a bit slow in doing that as a management group so we're well prepared this time," Fleming said.