Recently, Virender Sehwag, the cricket legend, took a closer look at two young captains making waves in the IPL 2024: Shubman Gill from the Gujarat Titans and Ruturaj Gaikwad leading the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Sehwag noticed something interesting: while Gill seemed to lack support, Gaikwad had the advantage of having MS Dhoni, the iconic former CSK captain, guiding him along the way.
Gaikwad’s stellar performance, leading CSK to a significant victory against the Kolkata Knight Riders, earned him high praise from Sehwag. He even went on to call Gaikwad “MSD Jr.”, hinting at his potential to carry forward the legacy of Dhoni’s leadership at CSK.
In a chat with Cricbuzz, Sehwag shared his thoughts, reflecting on a prediction he made back in 2021 about rising stars stepping into captaincy roles. He stressed the importance of looking beyond just results and considering the leadership qualities a captain brings to the table.
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Sehwag brought up Dhoni’s unexpected triumph in the T20 World Cup in 2007, illustrating how such wins can shape a player’s journey towards leadership positions.
Sehwag firmly believes Gaikwad has what it takes to follow in Dhoni’s footsteps. He highlighted Gaikwad’s leadership skills and tactical prowess, comparing them to Dhoni’s calm and strategic approach on the field.
Gaikwad’s cool-headedness was evident in a recent match where he led CSK to chase down a challenging target of 138 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. His unbeaten innings of 67 runs off 58 balls showcased not only his batting skills but also his ability to handle pressure with maturity, a trait essential for any captain.
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Looking ahead, CSK is gearing up for a showdown against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on April 14th. All eyes will be on Gaikwad as he continues to lead CSK, with hopes of emulating the success of his mentor and predecessor, MS Dhoni. As the IPL unfolds, Gaikwad’s journey as a leader promises to be one filled with excitement and anticipation.
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