IPL 2024 Will MSD retire after CSK-RCB adjust CSK’s wicketkeeping options. Photo: CSK
MS Dhoni has stepped down as skipper of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Ruturaj Gaikwad has taken over as the new leader of the yellow brigade with effect from Thursday, March 21. This has heated market speculation as to whether or not Dhoni will play in the IPL opener against RCB.
There are rumors doing the rounds in the local media that if he plays the opener, it could turn out to be his last ever match in the IPL.
Apart from Dhoni, Aravelly Avanish is the only recognized wicketkeeper in the CSK squad. Avanish was part of the Indian team that reached the final of the 2024 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa. He was brilliant behind the stumps but not the best with the bat.
New Zealand’s Devon Conway was another option wearing the gloves for the Yellow Brigade. But now that he’s injured, that door is also closed.
CSK could make a bet by playing Dhoni as an impact player who would replace Avanish or any of the bowlers at the end of the innings or before the start of the innings whenever CSK bats.
Ruturaj Gaikwad as wicketkeeper-batsman
It may come as a surprise to many, but Gaikwad is not only a stunning fielder in the field but also a good wicketkeeper-batsman. He has three wins to his name in T20s so far and has retained his state of Maharashtra in the 2022 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
The 27-year-old was initially bought by CSK as a wicketkeeper-batsman. In Conway’s absence and with CSK failing to find a replacement for Kiwi Conway, Gaikwad could reinvent himself as wicketkeeper-captain for the Yellow Brigade.
Will Dhoni play the IPL opener?
Dhoni started the season in his old-style hairstyle, which somewhat resembled the year in which he played his first international match. Before joining the CSK preseason camp, he had also announced that he would be seen in a new role in this IPL.
His new role could be heartbreaking for the fans as they might not even see him bat for the last time, even in the IPL, as happened in international cricket.
The former India captain was suffering from knee problems and underwent surgery soon after the completion of IPL 2023. Although he has been practicing in the nets, he may not be fit enough to play the entire season and could therefore miss the opener.
MS Dhoni wicket records in IPL
| Matches | Innings | Dismissed | Catches | Stomp |
| 250 | 243 | 180 | 138 | 42 |
Aravelly Avanish wicket records at the 2023 U-19 World Cup
| Matches | Innings | Dismissed | Catches | Stomp |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 2 |
First print: March 21, 2024 | 6:07 PM IST