Opinion: Will CSK Suffer Post the ALLEGED Exit of MS Dhoni?

IPL 2024 has been an eventful edition in the history of IPL with two most influencial and successful captains of the league's history taken over their captaincies in their respective teams. Hardik Pandya replaced Rohit Sharma as the captain of Mumbai Indians while Dhoni handed over his cap to young Ruturaj Gaikwad as successor of Chennai Super Kings.

Fans & supporters of Mumbai Indians did not took the decision of captaincy change well and somehow that affected team's performance in ongoing edition. Mumbai Indians are now at 9th position with 4 wins out of 12 matches and are already out of the qualifiers competition. While CSK too are giving on & off performances with 6 wins out of 11 matches, though they are standing up in the points table currently but are still not sure to qualify for the top four.

Chennai started off well in the first half of the league under Gaikwad's captaincy but whenever they moved out of their home ground they faced heat from other terams and it looked like Chennai missed Dhoni's game changing decision making in crucial moments and captaincy, though he still helps and take his own decisions on the field when he feel so. And still the dominating CSK couldn't make it through the important and tough moments which they easily do and are known for it.

Cricket circles already witnessed CSKs downfall in 2022 when they tried Ravindra Jadeja as captaincy replacement of Dhoni. CSK faced so many defeats in that seasons that they had to bring back Dhoni as captain for the rest half of the league and still they stood 9th in the points table. Following to that when Dhoni taken over captaincy fully in the 2023 season CSK jumped back and won the tournament and it seemed to easy for them. We can only imagine the scenario when there is no MSD behind the stumps and on the field and young Ruturaj left alone, struggling to take decisions.

There are no replacements for some players but in that case has CSK found their successor yet?

The primary reason it doesn't seems like that is Ruturaj Gaikwad's experience & rawness. The great example can be the performance of Gujrat Titans this year after Hardik Pandya's transfer to Mumbai Indians. Pandya lead GT in the last two seasons till final knockout matches and won one title too; now Shubman Gill is leading the team this year with the same belt of players and their roles from the last two years but they are already out of the knockouts in the ongoing season. 

Hardik Pandya's absense in the team cost Gujrat Titans huge amount not just that but again unexperienced Shubman Gill is can be seen clueless on the field and tired with the messages coming from the dressing room by Nehra. We can predict similar conditions in CSKs deck in the coming years when Dhoni announces his retirement from IPL and continue to coach the team. If they really want their team to prove right on their reputation they have to bring someone who has similar level of experience & energy as Dhoni has to continue to shine bright.