IPL 2024: When MS Dhoni 'shocked' Michael Hussey by announcing captaincy call

CSK batting coach Michael Hussey revealed how MS Dhoni announced stepping down from captaincy to the team on the eve of the IPL 2024 season. Dhoni took fans by surprise with a shocking announcement ahead of IPL 2024. Minutes before the captains' meet in Chennai, IPL confirmed that Ruturaj Gaikwad would lead the Super Kings before CSK confirmed the change in captaincy with an official statement.

Hussey revealed that the management was not aware of Dhoni's decision until he said that he wouldn't attend the pre-tournament captains' photoshoot. The former Australia batter, who had played under Dhoni at CSK, recalled the initial shock after Dhoni revealed the decision.

"MS sort of announced that he was not going to be attending the pre-tournament captains meeting. And we're like, 'Oh, no. What's going on?'," Hussey said.

"He said Ruturaj was going to be captain from then on. So, it was a little bit of a shock to start with but it has been managed really well," Hussey said. IPL 2024 Full Coverage | IPL 2024 Points Table and Standings | 2024 IPL Full Schedule

Dhoni brought the curtains down on 14 years of his successful stint as captain of the Super Kings ahead of the 17th edition of the IPL. However, the fans continued to shower love on the franchise as Gaikwad has been cheered on by the passionate fans of the 5-time champions.

HAS CSK UNDERGONE SMOOTH TRANSITION?

Hussey mentioned that CSK's head coach Stephen Fleming had been working closely with Gaikwad in the lead-up to the tournament. The franchise also had faith in Gaikwad to take over the reins once Dhoni decided to step down.

"I know Stephen Fleming (head coach) had been working closely with Ruturaj in the lead-up to the tournament. In fact, he has been grooming him for a couple of years now. We have sort of known for a little while that he was the right man to take over the job when MS decided to step aside," Hussey said.

Gaikwad has been leading CSK from the front with 583 runs in 13 matches which includes 4 fifties and a hundred.

"MS wanted to still be here while the new captain took over, to try to help him along the way and sort of mentor him a little bit. So that's worked really well as well. And obviously, Stephen Fleming is a great role model for him [Gaikwad] as well. So, it's been quite seamless actually."

CSK stand at the 3rd position in the points table with 7 wins in 13 matches and will face RCB in a must-win encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on May 18, Saturday.