Mumbai Indians

‘Reroute to avoid the missiles’: Kevin Pietersen reveals scary story ahead of MI vs CSK clash | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago02 mins

NEW DELHI: Kevin Pietersen found himself in the middle of a tense situation on Saturday as his flight encountered a detour due to Iran’s missile launch towards Israel. Pietersen, en route to Mumbai for an IPL match, recounted the unnerving experience on social media. His post revealed the anxiety-inducing nature of the situation. Sharing his experience on X, the former England cricket captain wrote, “Well that’s a first. Our plane last night had to go back and add another big load of fuel cos we had to reroute to avoid the missiles from Iran. MADNESS!!!! Anyway, in Mumbai and at Wankhede later. One of my favourite cricket grounds!” In response to the escalating situation, the Indian embassy in Israel issued advisories to Indian citizens, urging them to remain calm and follow safety protocols issued by local authorities. The embassy assured that they were closely monitoring the situation and maintaining communication with Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of Indian nationals. Despite the geopolitical tensions, the IPL continued with its scheduled matches. In the upcoming encounter, arch-rivals Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are set to face off in what promises to be an electrifying clash. ALSO SEE: IPL 2024 POINTS TABLEWith Mumbai Indians holding a slight advantage in their head-to-head record against Chennai Super Kings, the stage is set for an intense battle between the most successful sides in the tournament’s history.

Virat Kohli Orders Pizza, Aloo Chaat, Barfi, Leaves Faf Du Plessis In Shock. Watch

Danijones7 months ago04 mins

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are having tough time in the ongoing IPL 2024 as they have lost five out of their first six games. Currently placed at the bottom of the points table, the Faf du Plessis-led side lost their latest match against five-time champions Mumbai Indians by seven wickets. The match began with RCB posting a huge total of 196/8 in 20 overs. However, MI comfortably chased down the target in just 15.3 overs with Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav scoring 69 and 52 runs respectively. Read here: IPL 2024 Points Table Despite having a forgettable campaign, RCB players are maintaining a positive attitude off the field. A perfect of example of this was seen in an advertisement video, featuring Virat Kohli, Mohammed Siraj, and Faf. In the video, Kohli, who is widely popular for his strict diet and extreme fitness routine, was seen ordering junk food like pizza, aloo chaat, and barfi. Virat Kohli says goodbye to diet. pic.twitter.com/9SFBy0Aham — Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 13, 2024 Faf, who lying beside Kohli, was shocked to hear all this from his star batter and said, “Seriously?” Pacer also asked Kohli, “Your diet?” Replying to both of them, Kohli said, “Abbe Kaahe ki diet, khaane de. (What diet? Let me eat).” Recently, former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull believes that India should use Kohli as an opener along with Rohit Sharma in the upcoming T20 World Cup. “I think Virat should open…100 per cent. I don’t think he should bat at number three, because if he does, then Rinku Singh will miss out. And in my India starting XI, Rinku has to play. Therefore, Virat’s got to open the batting. Now who he opens with, up to you. If it is Rohit Sharma or Jaiswal. But Kohli has to open, because in the modern game that is his best position. He hits the quick bowlers as good as anyone and he times the ball beautifully. Coming in and starting against spin is not his best option,” Moody said on Cricbuzz. In the ongoing IPL, Kohli has scored 319 runs in just six matches and is currently the highest run-scorer of the season. Topics mentioned in this article

Farewell MS Dhoni? What Mumbai Indians vs CSK Clash Could Mean For ‘Thala’

Danijones7 months ago07 mins

The legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be in the spotlight in what could be his final game at the iconic Wankhede Stadium when defending champions Chennai Super Kings take on Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League here on Sunday. Dhoni returns to the hallowed turf of Wankhede for the first time ever as a non-captain of the CSK, potentially in his last IPL season. It will also be his first appearance as just a player for any team since November 2005. (IPL 2024 Points Table) Even at 42, Dhoni’s glove-work remains impeccable and so does his assessment of the game like always. But CSK will hope that his tactical acumen also helps them improve a dismal away record this season, having suffered two defeats on the road. CSK would also hope their recent record against MI — four wins in last five matches including their seven-wicket win here last season — holds them in good stead. Two of IPL’s most successful teams with five titles each, both sides are witnessing a tectonic shift of leadership change with Hardik Pandya taking over the mantle from Rohit Sharma at MI and Ruturaj Gaikwad succeeding Dhoni at CSK, but there is nothing that suggests their intense rivalry would expect any such shift. If anything, CSK’s bowlers could be put to sword by the rampaging MI batters who have gone hammer and tongs at the flat pitches here, scoring in excess of 230 against Delhi Capitals and chasing down nearly 200 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru with more than four overs to spare. Pandya’s MI have found their footing after a jittery start. Their batters have done well in the last two outings and Suryakumar Yadav’s 17-ball fifty against RCB provides an ominous sign to CSK bowlers, who have shown mastery on slow, turning pitches at the Chepauk but remain untested on flat, batting-friendly surfaces. Ishan Kishan (161 runs) and Rohit’s opening stand would thus be crucial in the scheme of things but CSK would also have a lot of assurance with their own batting. Skipper Gaikwad may not be a marauder with the bat but he can be the silent enforcer in the CSK line-up, which has the exuberance of Rachin Ravindra at the top, sturdiness of Daryl Mitchell in the middle and explosiveness of Shivam Dube (176 runs), Ravindra Jadeja and Dhoni in the death overs. CSK would also be aware that seeing off the dexterous Jasprit Bumrah (10 wickets) and going after the rest of the MI bowling would be the key, since the others have given away runs at alarming rate while struggling with their line and lengths on placid surfaces. Despite Bumrah’s five-wicket haul, MI leaked runs at a high rate to allow RCB get closer to the 200-run mark here a few nights ago. A lot will be riding on Shardul Thakur and Tushar Deshpande for CSK, who both return to their home ground, but Mustafizur Rahman (9 wickets) and the wily Jadeja would be the ones to watch out for given their recent exploits. On their part, teams say “we want to get as many runs as possible” but by the look of it, scores around 220-230 while batting first could be the best way possible to ensure an upperhand at this venue. Teams (from): Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (c), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Dewald Brevis, Jasprit Bumrah, Piyush Chawla, Gerald Coetzee, Tim David, Shreyas Gopal, Ishan Kishan (wk), Anshul Kamboj, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Kwena Maphaka, Mohammad Nabi, Shams Mulani, Naman Dhir, Shivalik Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Arjun Tendulkar, Nuwan Thushara, Tilak Varma, Vishnu Vinod, Nehal Wadhera, Luke Wood. Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni (wk), Aravelly Avanish (wk), Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Shaik Rasheed, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, RS Hangargekar, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nishant Sindhu, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Mukesh Choudhary, Mustafizur Rahman, Matheesha Pathirana, Simarjeet Singh, Prashant Solanki, Shardul Thakur, Maheesh Theekshana, Sameer Rizvi. Match starts 7:30PM IST. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

Watch – MI vs CSK: Rivals on the field, friends off it | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago04 mins

NEW DELHI: There’s no bigger clash in the Indian Premier League (IPL) than the one between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. It’s a classic rivalry to say the least.Both Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are powerhouse teams, each having won the trophy five times. Whenever they clash, it’s not just a cricket match, but a showdown of talent, strategy, and nerves. Their matches are always highly anticipated and fiercely contested, with fans from both sides eagerly watching every ball.The MI vs CSK rivalry is characterized by competitiveness, high-quality cricket, and memorable moments, making it one of the most captivating matchups in the IPL.But regardless of the rivalry, the players of both the teams are friends and have mutual admiration for each other.On the eve of the clash between the two teams at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, the official X handle of CSK shared a video of players both the teams meeting and greeting each other.Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur who are from Mumbai play for CSK.In the video, Rohit Sharma was seen talking to Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja interacting with Tilak Verma. And the friends from the Caribbean, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard were seen talking to CSK head coach Stephen Fleming.Bravo and Pollard have had numerous and memorable on-field clashes but their friendship has only grown stronger over the years.Shardul Thakur was also seen talking to Ishan Kishan, whose idol is the great Mahendra Singh Dhoni.The MI-CSK rivalry began in the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008. Since then, MI and CSK have faced each other numerous times in the league stage, playoffs, and finals, adding to the intensity of their rivalry.Both teams have had their moments of dominance. However, CSK has historically had a slight edge in head-to-head matches, particularly in the earlier seasons of the IPL. In recent years, MI have balanced the scales, making the rivalry even more compelling. MI and CSK have often met in crucial playoff matches and finals, elevating the stakes of their encounters. These matches have produced some thrilling moments and have been highly anticipated by fans of both teams.The rivalry is also fueled by the presence of star players in both teams. Players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard, Jasprit Bumrah (MI) and MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja (CSK) have played key roles in shaping the outcomes of matches between these teams over the years.MI and CSK have large and passionate fan bases, adding to the atmosphere and excitement whenever they face each other on the field. The support from fans further intensifies the rivalry.

Is ‘Vice-Captain’ Pandya Really A Certainty For T20 World Cup 2024?

Danijones7 months ago08 mins

Hardik Pandya’s possible inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad has sparked debate among cricket experts and fans of late. The 30-year-old has been a major talking point during the first three weeks of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Ever since Pandya was announced as Mumbai Indians’ new captain in place of India’s all-format skipper Rohit Sharma ahead of IPL 2024, the controversial decision has received widespread disappointment from fans. MI’s newly-appointed captain has been booed heavily at various stadiums, including at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad as well at Mumbai’s home ground – the Wankhede Stadium. Furthermore, MI started their IPL 2024 campaign with three consecutive losses under Hardik’s leadership although the five-time IPL winners have bounced back with back-to-back wins in their next two games. Fitness and finishing ability concerns Apart from Hardik’s captaincy, his all-round form and finishing ability have been under scanner in the ongoing IPL. Indian cricket team’s limited-overs vice-captain, Hardik has scored 129 runs in five matches for MI this season. The hard-hitting batter showed glimpses of regaining form after he slammed an unbeaten 21 runs off just six balls against Royals Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to help MI chase down 197 in just 15.3 overs at the Wankhede on Thursday. Additionally, there have been questions about Hardik’s fitness for ICC’s marquee T20 tournament. The Indian all-rounder has endured his fair share of fitness concerns over the years and has cut down on his workload with the ball to get the best out of him from an all-round perspective. The Gujarat-born cricketer has bowled just eight overs in five matches in IPL 2024, picking just a solitary wicket at an economy of 11.13. Hardik recently made a comeback in IPL 2024 after he was ruled out of ICC ODI World Cup 2023 having sustained an ankle injury against Bangladesh in October. The Rohit Sharma-led India, of course, will need a fully-fit Hardik at the T20 World Cup 2024 to be held in the West Indies and the United States. In-form Shivam Dube could pip Hardik Pandya While Hardik’s all-round capabilities provide Team India great balance in the T20 format, if he’s not fully fit then the likes of Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh could be better picks as finishers in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad. Former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad has voiced support for Shivam Dube’s inclusion in the upcoming T20 World Cup squad. “Shivam Dube for his striking ability against spinners, Surya for being the best T20 international batter and Rinku Singh for his exceptional finishing ability. It will be great if India finds a way to have these 3 in the 11 in the T20 WC. With Virat and Rohit, this will leave a spot for just a keeper batsman. Interesting to see how it pans out,” Prasad posted on X (formerly Twitter). Chennai Super Kings’ Shivam Dube has been in impressive form in IPL 2024. Batting in the middle-order, Dube has amassed 176 runs in five matches at an average of 44 and a strike rate of 160. He has hit 10 fours and 13 sixes so far. Apart from Prasad, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has stated that Dube must be included in India’s T20 World Cup squad. “Good to watch@IamShivamDube clearing the field with ease!! I feel he has to be in the World Cup squad. Has got the skill to be the #gamechanger,” Yuvraj wrote on X. Earlier, India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin urged India to pick Dube in the T20 World Cup squad after his brilliant performances against Afghanistan in a three-match series in January. “Hardik Pandya is an indispensable member of the Indian team. However, with Shivam Dube’s emergence, especially in conditions similar to CSK in the West Indies, he becomes a spin-hitting monster,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. “I can proudly call him a ‘Yuvraj Singh lite’ package. There are so many facets of Yuvraj Singh that I see in his game – the downswing, the height, and the reach. I’m not saying he’s exactly like Yuvraj Singh, but he reminds me a lot of him. The beauty here is that he hits spin straight down the ground,” Ashwin added. With Hardik facing strong competition from Shivam Dube, he will need to prove his fitness as well as impress the selectors with his all-round game in the remaining games for MI before the squad is finalised. The Indian cricket team’s 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup is likely to be announced in the last week of April and vice-captain Hardik’s spot still remains uncertain as of now. While a return to form and maintaining his fitness will most likely see Hardik make the cut for the T20 World Cup, judging by the all-rounder’s recent form when batting in death overs as well as his fitness issues, it’s safe to say that the 30-year-old’s inclusion in the squad is certainly not a given. Topics mentioned in this article

Hardik Pandya: ‘If he is not bowling, does Hardik Pandya make the T20 World Cup squad?’ | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Renowned cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle has sparked debate over the inclusion of India all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in June. Bhogle’s comments come in light of Pandya’s recent struggles with fitness and his limited bowling contribution in the IPL 2024 season.Pandya, who captains the Mumbai Indians in this year’s IPL, made a comeback to cricket after a five-month hiatus due to an ankle injury sustained during the ODI World Cup last year.While Pandya initially bowled a few overs in his return matches, his bowling workload has been sporadic, raising doubts over his ability to contribute as an all-rounder.Bhogle pointed out Pandya’s waning power-hitting skills and questioned whether he still merits a place in the T20 World Cup squad solely as a batsman if he is unable to bowl consistently.“If Hardik is not bowling, does Hardik make the T20 World Cup squad?” Bhogle questioned, while speaking on Cricbuzz. “Is he among the top six batters in India if he is not bowling? I’m not totally convinced of that because if he is not bowling and he is not finishing as powerfully, he needs to bat up, where all the competition is.”Bhogle emphasized the importance of Pandya’s all-round abilities in balancing India’s playing XI, particularly in the absence of regular bowling options among the top-order batsmen. Pandya’s ability to bowl four overs provides a crucial additional bowling option for the team and ensures the presence of at least two all-rounders, with Ravindra Jadeja also in contention.However, with Pandya’s fitness and bowling form under scrutiny, his selection for the T20 World Cup could hinge on his ability to regain full fitness and contribute effectively with both bat and ball.

“CSK Will Be Responsible If Dube Is Not Selected For T20 WC”: Ex-India Star’s Brutal Warning

Danijones7 months ago04 mins

Former India batter Manoj Tiwary has backed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Shivam Dube for a place in the T20 World Cup squad, ahead of Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya. Tiwary questioned Hardik’s role as a bowler so far this season in IPL, with the MI captain bowling only one over in the last three matches. The former Bengal captain feels if Hardik wants to seal his place in the squad for the T20 World Cup, then he’ll have to prove his bowling credentials. Read here: IPL 2024 Points Table Tiwary also highlighted that Hardik has been a tad bit expensive for MI with the bowl, conceding over 11 runs per over. “If he wants to play in the Indian T20 World Cup team as an all-rounder, he has to bowl. Look at his economy rate. It’s almost 11. He is not performing this season,” Tiwary said during a discussion on Cricbuzz. Tiwary also asserted that if Dube fails to make the T20 World Cup squad, his IPL franchise will be responsible for his exclusion as CSK have been using him as an impact sub so far this season. “With this form, Hardik won’t be picked in the T20 World Cup. See, Agarkar is a strong character and hence can take those bold decisions. And if Dube is not picked in the T20 World Cup, CSK will be responsible for it, because they are not allowing him to bowl. I have been saying this for a long time, if you want a replacement for Hardik, get Dube ready,” he added. Tiwary labelled Dube as a “clever” bowler, pointing out his exploits in the T20I series against Afghanistan earlier this year. “At one time we also had Venkatesh Iyer. Suddenly, both of them stopped bowling. We should be looking at the bigger goal. We are talking about the World Cup here and India haven’t been able to lift that trophy for a long time. So we have to plan for that ahead of time. Now Hardik is not in form and if you pick Dube in the squad, how much he can perform as a bowler is not known. But as far as I know, Dube is a clever bowler. Remember that T20I series at home against Afghanistan,” he further explained. Topics mentioned in this article

IPL 2024: MI-CSK renew high-octane rivalry under new skippers | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago05 mins

MUMBAI: When you see top corporate bigwigs, cricket officials and even players struggle to get tickets, you know that it’s here-the El Clasico of the IPL.On Sunday night, two of the most decorated clubs of the IPL, with five titles each, will resume their famed rivalry when the Mumbai Indians face off against the Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium.IPL ORANGE CAP | IPL PURPLE CAP | IPL POINTS TABLEWhat adds allure is the fact that this could be the last IPL outing for MS Dhoni at a venue where he lifted the ODI World Cup trophy in 2011.Since the ‘Impact Player’ rule came into existence, the 42-year-old has hardly come out to bat, unless needed. Going by the trend in IPL 2024, the Wankhede crowd is likely to cheer vociferously for him even if he pulls off a catch or stumping or makes a fleeting appearance with the bat.Having undergone a contrasting transition in leadership-MI are now led by Hardik Pandya while CSK are captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad-both the teams have blown hot and cold so far.MI lost their first three games before bouncing back with wins at home against Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. CSK started off with wins against RCB and Gujarat Titans at home, but stumbled to two defeats on the road and then recovered by beating Kolkata Knight Riders at home. Of late, CSK have had the wood on MI, beating them four times in their last five encounters. Ironically, CSK will bank on the four Mumbai aces in their pack-inform Shivam Dube, Ajinkya Rahane, Shardul Thakur and Tushar Deshpande. Each of these four must know the Wankhede track like the back of their hand, with three of them-Rahane, Thakur and Deshpande being a part of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy winning side last month.When MI and CSK met at the Wankhede last year, Rahane had smashed a breathtaking 27-ball 61 to star in CSK’s seven-wicket win.The match will also pit two contenders for the allrounder’s position in Team India for the T20 World Cup in June. With 176 runs in five games @44.00 and a strike rate of 160, Dube, playing in the role of an Impact Player, is CSK’s top run-getter.Having smashed 13 sixes so far, the 30-year-old has won the heart of someone he’s often compared with, India’s 2011 World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh, who feels that the Mumbaikar must surely be a part of India’s T20 WC squad. As if being booed by his home crowd wasn’t enough, Dube’s sizzling performances has put pressure on Pandya (84 runs in five matches @32.25 & 1-89 in eight overs) to raise his game too. Struggling to find his groove while batting too low down the order, Pandya showed signs of finding his mojo during his six-ball 21 not out cameo against RCB on Thursday.With their rest of the bowling floundering, MI will once again rely heavily on the magic of Jasprit Bumrah, who took a match-winning haul of five for 21 against RCB, to bail them out against a strong CSK batting line-up.Where this battle could be decided is how MI’s rampaging batting line-up, currently looking destructive at full strength with the return of Suryakumar Yadav, tackles CSK’s top-class spinners Ravindra Jadeja (3-18 in four overs in the last match) and Maheesh Theekshana.

Mumbai Fans Super Excited For MS Dhoni’s Wankhede Stadium Re-Entry. Watch

Danijones7 months ago03 mins

Glimpse of the video© X (Twitter) Mumbai Indians stunned everyone with their big seven-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their previous IPL 2024 match. Beginning their new era under captaincy of Hardik Pandya, the five-time champions had a shaky start to their IPL 2024 campaign as they lost three consecutive matches. However, they got back on track with two back-to-back wins against Delhi Capitals and RCB. MI will now be squaring off against their old rivals Chennai Super Kings in their next match on Sunday in Mumbai. Ahead of the mouth-watering clash, a heartfelt moment was witnessed outside the Wankhede stadium. Hundreds of fans gathered and surrounded CSK’s team bus, in hope of getting a glimpse of the star players, who were entering the stadium for their practice session. The WankheDEN Vibes! Overwhelmed!#WhistlePodu #Yellove pic.twitter.com/lPmkFl8vn3 — Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 12, 2024 The fans were seen running and excitedly jumping while welcoming the visitors to their ground. This brilliant gesture by the Mumbai crowd totally showed the crazy fandom of MS Dhoni and CSK, even in an away match. Talking about MI’s match against RCB, Suryakumar Yadav (52) and Ishan Kishan (69) provided the fireworks with the bat after Jasprit Bumrah’s magical five-wicket haul as Mumbai Indians pummelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru by seven wickets. “I have never seen someone dominating like the way Suryakumar does. Unbelievable. Where do you bowl to him? I am so glad I am not playing cricket now. At this age, where do you bowl to this guy? “He has got an answer for every ball you bowl to him, whether it’s wide yorker, bouncer. He can play sweep, pull, upper cut and I don’t what else he can play. He is a different kind of a player,” Former India spinner Harbhajan said on Star Sports. On the other hand, CSK also defeated Kolkata Knight Riders in their previous match by seven wickets. Topics mentioned in this article

“Picture Of The Year”: MS Dhoni Re-United With World Cup At The Venue Of 2011 Triumph. Internet On Overdrive

Danijones7 months ago04 mins

MS Dhoni is one iconic cricket captain. Recently, a video of Gautam Gambhir went viral where he said that Dhoni would remain the most successful Indian cricket team captain. The former star had every reason to say so. No other captain has won the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy and also taken the team to No. 1 ranking in Tests. From 2007, MS Dhoni’s charisma on the field meant that Indian cricket team was an indomitable force. Read here: IPL 2024 points table While MS Dhoni won many accolades, the one ever-lasting image that the great produced was in the final of the 2011 ODI World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai when he hit Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Kulasekara for a six to win the marquee event for India. He stayed unbeaten on 91 as India clinched their second-ever ODI World Cup title. That was the last time India won the ODI World Cup. MS DHoni is back at the Wankhede Stadium. This time he will be playing for Chennai Super Kings against Mumbai Indians in an IPL 2024 match. Ahead of the match, MS Dhoni came fact to face with the 2011 World Cup trophy on Saturday and the image has gone viral. Some are referring to it as the ‘picture of the year.’ Dream of many captains MS Dhoni with iconic 2011 World Cup Trophy – Picture of the year. pic.twitter.com/cszhlEjy4j — (@AloneSoul_ABU) April 13, 2024 91K likes needed for this picture. MS Dhoni pic.twitter.com/uhurOHjOuH — Sexy Cricket Shots (IPL’24) (@sexycricketshot) April 13, 2024 MS Dhoni World Cup Trophy Made for each other#MSDhoni #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/snvG6Ok9gM — Jetharam Godara (@Jethara39738387) April 13, 2024 The IPL 2024 season started with Dhoni stepping down from CSK captaincy just ahead of the tournament and Ruturaj Gaikwad assuming the role. Ravindra Jadeja had earlier tried and failed to replace Dhoni as the CSK captain in 2022 but the support from fans and team management made one thing very clear – Gaikwad is the choice for the future and the entire ‘Yellow Army’ was behind him this time. However, what did not stop was the chatter on how much influence Dhoni will have on the pitch. Hailed as one of the master tacticians of the game, Dhoni had proven in the past that he is capable of changing any game just by his acumen. As a result, the conversations never stopped and it even led to some experts wondering out loud about how much Gaikwad will be able to exercise his control over the team. Topics mentioned in this article