‘One thing I have learnt from him’: CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad reveals what MS Dhoni taught him as a leader in IPL originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
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Ruturaj Gaikwad says the biggest lesson from MS Dhoni is to keep things simple and avoid overcomplicating decisions.
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The CSK captain spoke about balancing Dhoni’s approach with his own thought process.
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Gaikwad took over the CSK captaincy from Dhoni ahead of IPL 2024.
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CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad reveals what MS Dhoni taught him as a leader in the IPL
Ruturaj Gaikwad has lifted the lid on the leadership lessons he absorbed from MS Dhoni during his years alongside the legendary captain at Chennai Super Kings.
Speaking to Sportstar, the current CSK skipper identified simplicity as the single most valuable trait he picked up from one of the game’s most successful leaders.
Gaikwad inherited one of the most demanding captaincy roles in franchise cricket when he took over from Dhoni ahead of IPL 2024. Stepping into the shoes of a man synonymous with CSK’s success was never going to be straightforward, but the young opener has leaned on the wisdom of his predecessor.
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The 29-year-old explained that his time observing Dhoni at close quarters taught him the value of clarity in decision-making, a quality that defined the former India captain’s approach across more than a decade at the helm of the franchise.
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Ruturaj Gaikwad on MS Dhoni’s simplicity
Asked about the biggest leadership lessons he had learned from Dhoni, Gaikwad pointed to the former captain’s refusal to overcomplicate situations as the standout takeaway from their years together.
“One thing I have learned from him is trying to keep things very simple and not complicate things a lot. Sometimes, as a responsible player on the team, you tend to overthink decisions. You think about all the ifs and buts,” Gaikwad told Sportstar.
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He elaborated on how Dhoni’s calm, uncluttered method allowed him to reach clear conclusions, a process backed up by years of consistent results at the highest level of the IPL.
“With him, I feel he keeps things really simple. He lets things flow as it is and then arrives at a conclusion. That simplicity is something he has carried throughout the years. There are also a lot of results that have backed that process,” Gaikwad said.
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Balancing MS Dhoni’s lessons with his own style
Gaikwad was clear, however, that captaincy is not simply about imitating his predecessor. He spoke about the need to blend Dhoni’s influence with his own instincts and thought process as he searches for the best way to lead CSK to victory.
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“For me, it is about balancing that with my own thought process and trying to understand how I can help the team win. Results are something which is definitely needed in any team, so you try and get into that thought process in terms of how you can help the team. It’s about implementing the plans,” Gaikwad added.
The approach mirrors advice Dhoni himself offered before the season, when the CSK icon encouraged Gaikwad to lead the side in his own style rather than simply copy his methods. Dhoni had stressed that in cricket, unlike football, the captain must ultimately make the decisions on the field.
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A challenging captaincy tenure
Gaikwad’s leadership journey has not been without its difficulties, with CSK missing the playoffs in his first two seasons at the helm.
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The franchise endured a particularly tough IPL 2025 campaign, finishing at the bottom of the standings in one of their worst seasons in history.
The lessons drawn from Dhoni, however, remain central to how Gaikwad approaches the role. As CSK looks to rebuild and return to the summit of the IPL, the blend of Dhoni’s trademark simplicity and Gaikwad’s own evolving philosophy will be key to the franchise’s hopes of reclaiming former glories.
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