'Us par zyada pressure na dale bhai' - Fans react as Ambati Rayudu names a surprise successor to MS Dhoni as CSK captain

Ambati Rayudu & MS Dhoni (Source: Twitter)

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player Ambati Rayudu said that Ruturaj Gaikwad has the potential to lead the Chennai-based franchise. Rayudu feels the 26-year-old is capable of holding the role for the next ten years, and that current CSK captain MS Dhoni should nurture him for it.

A question mark over MS Dhoni's successor has been lingering for a few years and the franchise has yet to come up with an answer. Dhoni has led the Yellow Army since 2008, making them one of the most successful teams in league history. They cannot, however, count on the man for a long time, even though his master brain has not lost its sharpness by an inch.

The franchise had tried to hand over the baton to all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, but it returned to the 42-year-old after back-to-back failures. After a disappointing season, Dhoni once again led CSK to glory for the fifth time in the cash-rich league. There were rumors that the 2023 IPL season was his last dance as a player, but the wicketkeeper batter has not given any such statement.

India should also capitalise Ruturaj well: Rayudu 

However, it is important for the franchise to find Dhoni's successor and Rayudu has now given his choice. The former middle-order batter also said that given Gaikwad's potential, India should utilize the CSK opener in all formats of the game.

"Ruturaj Gaikwad has a great chance to lead CSK for a decade. MS Dhoni can groom him really well. India should also capitalise Ruturaj well, they're not at the moment. He should be in the team for all the formats," Rayudu told Behindwoods.

Meanwhile, Gaikwad has been named Team India’s captain for the Asian Games 2023. He was not picked for the T20I series against West Indies, but he was rewarded with the leadership role. He has also captained Maharashtra in domestic cricket and Puneri Bappa in Maharashtra Premier League 2023 (MPL 2023).

Here's how fans reacted to Ambati Rayudu's remark on Ruturaj Gaikwad: 

Water boy for all format

— Ben stokes (@SathwikAlva) July 22, 2023

Unpopular opinion: Ruturaj is just another Rayudu for INDIA 👍

— Abhishek Sharma (@ImAbhisharma24) July 22, 2023

🤣🤣🤣...Sab apni Apni Frenchisee k player ko promote karte hai 🤣🤣🤣🤣

— CricMeji (@mehjul257) July 22, 2023

He is the next goat captain of csk and india

— Dhoni Popa (@DhoniPopa) July 22, 2023

He knows how talent got wasted 🫡

— MANYA (@ManyaJn_) July 22, 2023

Ye has alot of potential but bcci is just wasting

— khaby.lame (@iamKHK7077) July 22, 2023

Don't put too much pressure on him . Let him start his international career.

— @imcricket (@imcricketpage) July 22, 2023

Ruturaj has performed well in ipl before also but we all know how he performed in international after that

— Nirupam (@Nirupamhello) July 22, 2023