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MS Dhoni has stepped down as captain of reigning champions Chennai Super Kings on the eve of the new Indian Premier League season.
Batter Ruturaj Gaikwad takes over the role from the legendary 42-year-old wicketkeeper in time for the opening match of the Super Kings’ season against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 2.20pm.
Dhoni has captained Chennai since the inception of the league in 2008, aside from a brief period in 2022 when Ravindra Jadeja took the reins, and the team did not provide details about his future beyond this year’s edition.
“Ruturaj has been an integral part of Chennai since 2019 and has played 52 matches in IPL during this period,” Chennai added in a statement.
“The team looks forward to the upcoming season.”
Ruturaj Gaikwad was the IPL’s top run scorer in 2021
The statement described Gaikwad, who has played for the franchise since 2019 and has made 52 appearances, as an “integral part” of the team.
Dhoni played his last international for India in 2019 but remains one of the country’s most popular players, and whilehe showed some signs of slowing down last season he still helped Chennai win a fifth title to match Mumbai Indians’ haul.
Media reports have said 2024 could be the former India skipper’s swansong following knee surgery last year.
Sky Sports to show IPL and WPL live on new four-year deal to 2027
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Sky Sports will show the Tata Indian Premier League and Tata Women’s Premier League live in a new four-year deal from 2024-27.
Sky Sports will show the Tata Indian Premier League and Tata Women’s Premier League live in a new four-year deal from 2024-27.
Sky Sports will continue to be the home of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women’s Premier League (WPL), bringing the greatest players in the world from the men’s and women’s game to sports fans in the UK & Ireland.
The new four-year deal to broadcast two of the sports’ top T20 tournaments starts this year, running until the end of 2027, and will add to the existing line up of the most highly anticipated live cricket events exclusively available on Sky Sports and NOW.
Watch the 2024 Indian Premier League from Friday as Chennai Super Kings begin their title defence against Royal Challengers Bangalore from 2.20pm, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event.
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