Not Raina, Nor Jadeja; Pragyan Ojha Names A Player Who Can Be MS Dhoni’s Successor As CSK Captain
Pragyan Ojha also suggested that Ravindra Jadeja could be the vice-captain despite his name being floated in the circles as Dhoni's successor.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might have got their old form but that doesn’t change the fact that skipper MS Dhoni is at the fag end of his career.
The three-time IPL winning captain took retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020. However, he continues to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) but that also has to end sometime soon.
While many feel the IPL 2021 season could be Dhoni’s last, there are a few who feel the wicket-keeper batsman might play for one more year. Nevertheless, when it comes to picking Dhoni’s successor, the one name that is often suggested is Ravindra Jadeja’s.
However, former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha feels otherwise. He want Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batsman Kane Williamson to lead the Chennai Super Kings from next season onwards. For him, the Kiwi batsman would be Dhoni’s ideal replacement.
At the same time, Pragyan Ojha also said that Jadeja could be the vice-captain owing to his seniority at CSK and experience, but, if Dhoni isn’t there next year, then the former off-spinner sees no one but Williamson leading the CSK.
“He (Ravindra Jadeja) can be a vice-captain where if you need some help then can be your guy. But if you’re talking about captaincy, then if there’s one guy who can do it, it’s Kane Williamson. He isn’t being utilized much there (at SRH). Mega-auction is next year, if MS Dhoni is playing then this question shouldn’t arise in the first place. However, if he doesn’t play then you can bring in Kane Williamson as a captain,” said Ojha in conversation with Cricbuzz.
Notably, MS Dhoni has led CSK to three IPL titles – and the team has emerged as a strong contender for their fourth this season, as they lead the points table with 5 consecutive wins after an early loss. He has a win percentage of over 60 leading the Yellow Army and has missed the playoffs only once.
Going with Ojha’s statement, Williamson is a considerable choice for Chennai based franchise. When David Warner was suspended due to his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal, it was Williamson who had led the Sunrisers franchise all the way to the final of the IPL 2018 season. Warner’s return saw Williamson returning to player-only role but his credentials as a skipper are well-known considering the success the Kiwi has enjoyed with the New Zealand national cricket team.
