'Thank you, Thalaiva': Netizens react to Dhoni stepping down as CSK captain

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

In a shocking move, Indian Premier League team Chennai Super Kings on March 21 announced that their star skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will step down as captain of the team. He will be replaced by Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been part of the team since 2019 and has played 52 matches so far.

Dhoni, 42, has captained the franchise since the IPL began in 2008 - except for the two years when the team was suspended in the wake of the 2013 spot-fixing case. Dhoni, under whom CSK won the IPL title five times, had handed over the reins to Ravindra Jadeja at the start of the 2022 season, but he returned as skipper just after eight matches.

The announcement took the internet by surprise and fans shared their love for the Indian cricket legend.

Mufaddal Vohra, a fan of Dhoni, posted on X, “The GOAT - MS Dhoni.” Vohra further remembered the thalaiva’s last final as a captain, when he led the team to its fifth IPL title in 2023. “MSD the skipper will be missed,” he wrote on the social media platform.

MS Dhoni's final match as the captain.

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- MSD the skipper will be missed. pic.twitter.com/P84nxpwji2

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 21, 2024

Another fan Sagar wrote on X, “So happy that this was Dhoni's final moment as a captain. Fairytale ending!”, remember Dhoni’s last IPL final in 2023.

Sports presenter Ridhima Pathak said Dhoni’s decision to step down was an end of an era. “And just like that, MS Dhoni made way for a new CSK captain. Ruturaj Gaikwad is now the new commander-in-chief at @ChennaiIPL. Don't know what to say, but end of an era for sure. Thank you, @msdhoni.”

And just like that, MS Dhoni made way for a new CSK captain. Ruturaj Gaikwad is now the new commander-in-chief at @ChennaiIPL
Don't know what to say, but end of an era for sure. Thank you, @msdhoni #IPL2024 #MSDhoni