IPL 2022: MS Dhoni steps down as CSK skipper, Ravindra Jadeja to lead

The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to commence on March 26 with the game between defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Ahead of the opening encounter, MS Dhoni has stepped down as the captain of CSK. Ravindra Jadeja who was retained for INR 16 crore by the franchise has been appointed the CSK skipper now.

CSK’s official website confirmed the news while more details on the matter are yet to come. Jadeja is only the third captain of CSK in the history of IPL with Suresh Raina being the other apart from MS Dhoni. Jadeja is associated with the franchise since 2012 and only played for the different franchise in 2016 and 2017 edition when CSK were suspended.

This is also the first time that CSK will be led by a different player in a full-time capacity and this clearly indicates that Dhoni is preparing the franchise to move on from him. It is still unclear if this will be his last season but for the first time, he will play in the yellow jersey as a player.

“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 official statement from CSK read.

CSK won four titles under MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni has certainly created a huge legacy as a captain in the IPL since its inception in 2008. He took the team to the finals on record nine occasions and also helped the team win four trophies. The aura of his success and the team’s consistency under his captain was such that it was only in IPL 2020 that CSK couldn’t qualify for the playoffs for the first time in its rich history.