Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Rohit Sharma would play for Chennai in the IPL 2025, and that Ruturaj Gaikwad's term as CSK captain may only go until 2024. Vaughan believes Rohit may be a great substitute for someone like MS Dhoni if the Super Kings want to maintain their prosperous tradition after the mega auction in 2025. All eyes will be on the mega auction, as IPL 2025 is set to usher in a new era for the cash-rich T20 league.
"I believe he will move to Chennai and replace MS Dhoni; Gaikwad is doing it this year; do you think it is just a holding role? Maybe Rohit next year. I see him in Chennai, I see him there, if he were to captain Chennai and came to Mumbai, would he get booed?" Vaughan asked, adding that he had a feeling Rohit would be joining CSK next year. In a podcast, Vaughan revealed this to YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia.
Michael Vaughan on CSK Leadership
Michael Vaughan's comments come as talk regarding MS Dhoni's future in the IPL continues. Dhoni intimated last year that IPL 2024 could be his final season as a player. On the eve of CSK's IPL 2024 opener against RCB, Dhoni resigned as captain and handed over the reins to young opener Ruturaj Gaikwad.
CSK answered the key question regarding their succession plan by turning over the baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been one of their most consistent performances since the 2021 season. CSK has won four of its first six matches under Ruturaj, keeping their pristine home record in Chennai.
Rohit Sharma: The Leader
Rohit Sharma, who led India to the ODI World Cup final, was replaced as captain following the mini-auction in December, and MI named Hardik Pandya, who was traded in from Gujarat, as their new captain.
Michael Vaughan said he expected Rohit to lead the franchise at least until IPL 2024, but he condemned the booing of Hardik, saying the all-rounder will be crucial to India's chances in the T20 World Cup, which begins on June 1.
Vaughan comprehended Hardik’s booing
"Hardik is going through a trying time, and it's not his fault; he has been invited to return to the Mumbai Indians; he has been asked to be the captain; who is going to say no to that? He has just been handed a job that pretty much every single player in India wants to do: lead the MI... I would have retained Rohit. The pressure of Hardik returning to Mumbai is significant enough on its own. Rohit will captain India in the T20 World Cup after having a successful World Cup. With Hardik in mind for the upcoming year or the year after, Rohit captaining MI would have been the prudent course of action”, according to Vaughan.
"He is always going to remain with the Mumbai Indians now. What baffles me is the booing, which I don't comprehend. I understand why he gets booed in Gujarat. But when he went to Hyderabad and then came to the Wankhede, MI fans booed him, I didn't understand why. Indian cricket fans must realize that MI supporters are also Indian supporters and that Hardik Pandya is essential to India's success in the Twenty20 World Cup. They depend on him performing well. They must find a way to restore that degree of confidence. India has a fantastic opportunity of taking home the trophy with Hardik leading the way," he continued.
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