For the first time in IPL history, Chennai Super Kings decided to change their captain midway during a season due to non-injury reasons. Ravindra Jadeja stepped down as the captain and handed over the team’s reins back to MS Dhoni. Yesterday, during the match between CSK and SRH, Dhoni was asked if he will play in 2023 as well, to which he replied:
“You will definitely see me in the yellow jersey [next year], whether this yellow jersey or some other yellow jersey, that’s a different thing.”
MS Dhoni has hinted that he could take up a coaching role next year if he does not wish to continue playing. In that case, the Chennai Super Kings will have to look for a captaincy option. Here are six popular foreign players who they might target.
1. Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes wasn’t a part of IPL 2022. England’s new Test captain could return to the league next year and probably be a captaincy option for the Chennai Super Kings.
2. Joe Root
Former England Test captain Joe Root also has a chance of taking over the reins of CSK next year in case he makes himself available to play in the league next year.
3. Temba Bavuma could be an underrated choice to lead CSK
Temba Bavuma has done an excellent job as the captain of South Africa in limited-overs cricket. He knows how to use the options he has and could be a good choice to lead Chennai.
4. Steve Smith
Former Australian skipper Steve Smith surprisingly went unsold at the mega auction. Smith has played with Dhoni in the past and knows his working style. He could be a great option as well.
5. Eoin Morgan
England’s limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan has struggled with form, but he is a class player and should return to form soon. Morgan led KKR to the 2021 IPL Final, making him a worthy option.
6. Shakib Al Hasan seems a wildcard pick to captain CSK
Bangladeshi star Shakib Al Hasan has much captaincy experience under his belt. He did not earn an IPL contract this year because of Bangladesh’s international schedule. Shakib could not just be a wildcard captaincy option for Chennai but also a quality all-rounder like Jadeja.
