IPL 2023: CSK Captain Conundrum – Gaikwad, Jadeja or Stokes? The Ultimate Option

IPL 2023 is likely to be MS Dhoni's last IPL season. Hence, the question arises, who will be CSK’s captain after MS Dhoni?

3 players are currently in the race for captaincy of CSK:

  • Ravindra Jadeja
  • Ben Stokes
  • Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ravindra Jadeja to become CSK’s captain once again?

Ravindra Jadeja became the third player to lead Chennai Super Kings after MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina. Dhoni had handed him captaincy at the start of IPL 2022. However, Jadeja later handed the role back to MS Dhoni after the team lost six out of its eight matches in the season, to focus and concentrate more on his game. Hence, it’s unlikely he will be given the role once again. 

Also read: IPL 2023: Ruturaj Gaikwad to Captain CSK in Few Matches- Reports

Ben Stokes to become CSK’s next captain?

Ben Stokes could be a good captaincy option for the Chennai Super Kings. However, the English Test Captain has been seen struggling with injuries on several occasions. Hence, it could be too risky to make him CSK’s permanent captain after MS Dhoni.

“Of course, we are very happy getting Ben Stokes. He is not just a match-winner but also a great leader. It’s MS’s call on who he will name his successor. With foreign players leading in IPL, there is always the problem of combination. Plus, all-rounders are always tricky customers to handle. If Ben doesn’t get an NOC next year, it will be a problem,” a CSK official earlier told InsideSport.

Also read: Watch: Incredible Catch by Ravindra Jadeja to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne in IND vs AUS 1st ODI 2023

Hence, there are high chances that Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is young and has a smart brain, will be the next CSK captain.

“One can never rule out a young Ruturaj,” the official added.

“Ruturaj was always a keen learner, picked up skills very quickly, he reads players very well. He had also questioned MS Dhoni about certain aspects of the field, and maybe Dhoni also sees him capable of leading the team in the future,” stated Gaikwad’s coach Shadab. 

IPL 2024

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