Dhoni hands over CSK captaincy to Jadeja: Twitteratti salute legendary skipper and welcome new leader

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Bengaluru, March 24: Mahendra Singh Dhoni resigned as the captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and decided to hand over the leadership to Ravindra Jadeja to lead the team in IPL 2022 earning huge reactions from netizens.

Jadeja, who has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings since 2012, is set to be the third player to lead CSK after Dhoni and Suresh Raina. Dhoni, however, will continue to represent Chennai Super Kings this season as per the official statement by the franchise.

"MS Dhoni has decided to hand over the leadership of Chennai Super Kings and picked Ravindra Jadeja to lead the team. Jadeja, who has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings since 2012, will only be the third player to lead CSK. Dhoni will continue to represent Chennai Super Kings this season and beyond," CSK said in a statement.

Dhoni has captained in 204 matches in the IPL winning 121, losing 82 and one match ended in a no-result with a win percentage of 59.60.

Under the astute leadership of Dhoni Chennai have won four IPL titles in 2010, 2011, 2018 and 2021 as well as two Champions League T20 titles in 2010 and 2014.

While some of the cricketing fraternity were stunned by Dhoni's decision, some saluted the legendary captain, who leaves a huge legacy, and congratulated the new skipper Jadeja.

Former India selector and CSK mentor Krishnamachari Srikkanth never thought he would see this day.

"Never in a million years did I think it was possible! What a leader MS Dhoni has been and what a legacy he leaves for Ravindra Jadeja to carry the baton of the best team in the IPL by a mile," Krishnamachari Srikkanth tweeted.

Raina, who led CSK in 6 matches during his stint with the franchise from 2010 to 2021, also expressed his reaction to the news of Jadeja taking over the skipper's role, but hasn't reacted to Dhoni stepping down as skipper as it stands.

"Absolutely thrilled for my brother. I can't think of anyone better to take over the reins of a franchise we both had grown up in. All the best Ravindra Jadeja. It's an exciting phase and I'm sure you will live up to all the expectations and love," Raina, who was not picked up by any franchise at the auctions, tweeted.

Commentator Harsha Bhogle, meanwhile, said this is truly an "end of an era".

"We use the expression "end of an era" very loosely sometimes. But Dhoni giving up the captaincy of @ChennaiIPL is truly the end of an era for all those loyal fans with whom he forged a relationship of the kind very few have," tweeted Bhogle.

Meanwhile, the other IPL franchises also paid tribute to the legendary skipper on his achievements over the years as the captain of Chennai Super Kings.