NEW DELHI: Former West Indies opener Chris Gayle shared his insights into the strategy behind Chennai Super Kings‘ (CSK) decision to appoint Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain for the IPL 2024 season, hinting at potential breaks for the legendary MS Dhoni during the tournament.
Gayle emphasized the likelihood of Dhoni not featuring in every match, suggesting a possible hiatus midway through the season.

“He (MS Dhoni) might not play all games. There may be a little break in between for him. That’s why the decision. But MSD will go well, don’t worry about that,” Gayle remarked during an interview on Jio Cinema.

Gayle’s remarks were made prior to the CSK vs RCB IPL 2024 opener in Chennai, shedding light on the strategic move to transfer captaincy to Gaikwad to manage Dhoni’s workload effectively.

Despite speculations about retirement and battling through a knee injury last year, Dhoni remained committed to playing for the fans and returned for the current season, albeit relinquishing the captaincy.
The match against RCB showcased Dhoni’s enduring fitness and agility, as he showcased swift wicket-keeping skills and executed a crucial run-out in the closing moments of RCB’s innings.
While Dhoni’s demotion in the batting order to No.7 or 8 suggests a potential reduction in his playing time, his presence remains significant for CSK’s campaign.
In the CSK vs RCB encounter, Mustafizur Rahman‘s stellar bowling performance, coupled with Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube’s adept finishing, secured a comfortable six-wicket victory for CSK.