Former India and Chennai Super Kings batsman Ambati Rayudu said on Friday that MS Dhoni may take advantage of the impact player rule to hand over captaincy duties in the upcoming IPL to groom the five-time champions New leader. Super Kings handed the captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja in 2022, but the left-arm spinner resigned midway through the tournament after a series of losses and handed the leadership back to Dhoni (Dhoni). Thereafter, he went on to lead CSK and win the IPL title for the fifth time in 2023, equaling their record. But at 42, Dhoni is no longer getting any younger and sooner or later Chennai will have to find a new leader.

“Under the impact player rule, he (Dhoni) can step back and promote someone to captain in the middle (overs). So this could be a transition year for CSK. If this is his last year, if he decides” If he had played a few more years, I think he would have been the captain. I personally would like to see him become captain. ” Rayudu, who retired from all forms of cricket last year, told Star Sports Newsroom.

Dhoni recently created a buzz on social media with a post on Facebook revealing that he will be taking on a new role in this year’s IPL.

Rayudu, who will make his debut as a commentator during IPL 2024, added that Dhoni is unlikely to move up the order and would rather give opportunities to youngsters.

“With Dhoni bhai, you never know, but knowing him and what’s happened over the past few seasons, I doubt he’s really going to step up his level and he’s going to step up a young guy there because (New Zealand’s Devon) Conway is injured.

“I’m sure with his batting ability, he might take himself up a notch or two, but not to the top level,” said Rayudu, who has played 55 ODIs and six T20Is for India and Has been the batting mainstay of CSK for many years. In 2018, he scored his highest score of 602 points.

Rayudu added that Dhoni remains absolutely committed to the franchise.

“I think if he decides to play this season, even if he’s only 10 per cent fit, he’ll definitely play the whole season and knowing him, injuries won’t keep him out of games and he’s been through a lot Injuries.

“Even last season, he had a serious knee injury. So, I don’t think there is anything that will stop him from playing the full season.” Rayudu added that Dhoni would be keen on players once they find a place in his shortlist. keep confident.

“He (Dhoni) looks at the team, the players and how they are performing, who is ready and who is not ready and then he quietly fills in his 12-13 players and keeps them the same throughout the season ,” said Rayudu.