NEW DELHI:
Team India
skipper
Rohit Sharma
took to social media to celebrate the illustrious tenure of MS Dhoni as the skipper of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a heartfelt gesture. This tribute comes on the heels of Dhoni's decision to step down from his leadership role in CSK, just a day before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.
The 17th edition of the IPL is set to kick off on Friday, with defending champions CSK locking horns with Faf Du Plessis-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in what promises to be an electrifying South Indian derby at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Dhoni, a five-time IPL champion, led CSK in a staggering 212 matches, clinching victory in 128 encounters while displaying remarkable leadership prowess throughout his tenure. His decision to step down from the helm marks the end of an era in CSK's history, leaving an indelible mark on the franchise and the league as a whole.
The Instagram post shared by Rohit featured a poignant picture of him alongside Dhoni, accompanied by a handshake emoji, symbolizing the deep respect and admiration that Dhoni commands within the cricketing fraternity.
Having announced his retirement from international cricket in August 2020, Dhoni's legacy extends beyond the boundaries of the IPL, with his captaincy leading India to triumphs in the 2007
T20 World Cup
, 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013
Champions Trophy
.
Dhoni's leadership journey with CSK has been nothing short of extraordinary, culminating in the team's record-equalling fifth IPL title triumph last year against the Gujarat Titans. Despite facing challenges, including the franchise's suspension from the tournament on fixing charges, Dhoni's resolve and strategic acumen propelled CSK to unparalleled success.
BCCI retires MS Dhoni’s Iconic Jersey No 7 to honour his contribution to Indian cricket
(With inputs from ANI)