MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma:
On the eve of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, we’ve witnessed two seismic changes that have stunned fans and cricket gurus alike. These shifts mark the conclusion of an era for two great captains in the IPL saga. One captain was removed, while the other stunned the cricketing world by stepping down.
We're discussing the icons of Mumbai Indians (MI), Rohit Sharma, and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), MS Dhoni. Each of them has led their team to IPL glory five times. Collectively, these two giants were crowned champions in 10 out of the 16 seasons to date.
Rohit's captaincy reign at MI concludes
Rohit guided Mumbai to five IPL titles from 2013 to 2023, while Dhoni championed Chennai equally over the same period. However, before the IPL 2024 season, Mumbai handed the captaincy to the 30-year-old all-rounder Hardik Pandya, sidelining 36-year-old Rohit.
Meanwhile, 42-year-old Dhoni chose to relinquish his leadership, passing the baton to the 27-year-old opener Ruturaj Gaikwad. Pandya had previously led Gujarat Titans to an IPL championship in 2022 and to the finals in the following season. Gaikwad is set to make his captaincy debut in the IPL.
Dhoni entrusts CSK captaincy to Gaikwad
The Mumbai franchise included Pandya through a trade, bestowing him the captaincy role. In contrast, Chennai has been Gaikwad's home since CSK bought him in 2019. He will be the fourth captain for the team, following Dhoni who had led Chennai in 212 matches, Jadeja in eight, and Raina in five.
Rohit's captaincy stint with MI in numbers
During his tenure as MI’s leader, Rohit lifted the IPL trophy five times (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020), leading his team in 158 IPL matches, with 87 wins, 67 losses, and 4 ties.
Dhoni's leadership legacy with CSK
Under Dhoni's leadership, Chennai has qualified for the IPL playoffs 12 times, reaching the finals 10 of those times and winning the championship on 5 occasions. Those victories came in the 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023 seasons.
