'There wasn't a dry eye in dressing room when Dhoni announced his decision'; CSK coach on Dhoni stepping down as captain

CHENNAI: Fans of Chennai Super Kings were shocked when the team management announced on Thursday that Mahendra Singh Dhoni has stepped down as the captain of the team. Now, head coach Stephen Fleming has opened up about the reaction within the CSK camp on hearing Dhoni's decision. Fleming said that there was not even one dry eye in the team's dressing room when Dhoni announced his decision. He also said that the team was not prepared to hear such a decision from Dhoni.

"There were a lot of emotions when Dhoni announced his decision to step down as captain. A whole lot of tears. There wasn't a dry eye in the dressing room. Everyone was moved. Last time (when CSK changed the captain) we weren't as prepared for MS to move and for a change in leadership," Fleming said.

"MS took the decision to give up captaincy with a lot of consideration and one view to the future on the back of a good season last year. The timing was good. Behind the scenes, Ruturaj and others have been on a captaincy grooming process, looking forward to days like this if an opportunity comes up. MS is the best judge and he felt the time was right," Fleming said.

Ahead of the curtain-raiser of IPL 2024 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Chennai, CSK announced that opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad would take the captaincy baton from the 42-year-old. The announcement marked the end of Dhoni's long reign at the helm of the CSK, during which he led Chennai to five IPL crowns.

In IPL 2022, Dhoni handed over the captaincy to Jadeja. However, he returned to lead the franchise again after just eight matches into the edition.