Ahead
of the IPL 2022 season opener, MS Dhoni took a surprising decision and stepped
down as Chennai Super Kings captain. Dhoni had been leading CSK since the
inception of IPL in 2008, barring two seasons -2016 and 2017 when CSK were
suspended by the Justice Lodha Committee.

Also Read: Dhoni hands over CSK captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja ahead of IPL 2022

Dhoni
has led Chennai Super Kings in 204 matches since 2008. He has won 121
matches, lost 82 and one match was ended without a result. His winning
percentage is 59.60, which is the second-highest in IPL history behind Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma. Rohit has a winning percentage of 59.68, but he led MI in 129 matches. He won 75 matches and lost 50 and there are four tied matches. 

Also Read: MS Dhoni steps away as CSK captain, cricketing world, fans numb

Gautam Gambhir is the third most successful captain in IPL history. Gambhir, who had led Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles, captained the side in 129 matches, winning 71 matches, losing 57 matches with a tie. His winning ratio is 55.42.

Also Read: Moeen Ali ruled out of CSK’s campaign opener against KKR. Find why?

As
40-year-old Dhoni relinquished captain, it is likely that he may announce his
retirement from IPL. In August 2020, he had bid farewell to international
cricket.

During his long captaincy stint with CSK, Dhoni won four IPL titles (in 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2021) which made him the second most successful captain in the T20 league behind MI’s Rohit Sharma, who won five titles. 

CSK and MI also hold the record for most appearances in the playoffs (eleven) and the Final (nine) of the IPL.

Also Read: IPL 2022: Sunil Gavaskar doesn’t think Punjab Kings can win

Now as Dhoni retired, Jadeja, who has been an integral part of CSK since 2012, will only be the third player to lead CSK.

Defending champions CSK will open their campaign against last edition’s runner-up side Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium here on Saturday.