Rohit Sharma, the current captain of the Indian National Cricket Team and former leader of the Mumbai Indians (MI), took to his official Instagram account to respond to MS Dhoni’s resignation as captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The departure of the iconic captain Dhoni from his leadership role was announced on Thursday, March 21, just before the start of the IPL 2024 season. Dhoni has passed the captain’s baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad, a prominent opening batsman, who will lead the team in the IPL 2024 opener against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Chepauk.

As Dhoni stepped down from IPL captaincy, fans were filled with emotion, expressing their sentiments across various social media platforms. Former and current cricketers also shared their reactions online as Dhoni handed over the reins to Gaikwad.

However, it was the response of Rohit Sharma, the current skipper of India, that garnered the most attention, given his close bond with MS Dhoni. The IPL has witnessed numerous intense clashes between Dhoni’s CSK and Rohit’s MI, captivating fans with thrilling encounters.

Both players have achieved remarkable success as IPL captains, each securing five IPL trophies. Regrettably, neither will be seen leading their respective teams in the IPL 2024 season. Hardik Pandya has taken over the captaincy at MI, while Gaikwad assumes the role at CSK.

Rohit Sharma conveyed his reaction to Dhoni’s captaincy exit through an Instagram story, posting a handshake emoji and sharing a photo with Dhoni. Overall, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma stand as two of the most successful captains in IPL history. Dhoni has led CSK in 226 matches, winning 133 and losing 91, while Rohit has captained in 158 matches, winning 87 and losing 67.

Irfan Pathan Honors MS Dhoni with Tribute

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan took to social media to praise Dhoni, highlighting his exceptional leadership and expressing confidence in Gaikwad’s ability to carry forward Dhoni’s legacy.

“In the ever-expanding galaxy of cricket, MS Dhoni’s legacy as CSK’s leader shines bright, akin to a supernova, illuminating the path for the franchise with unparalleled brilliance and allure. His leadership will be remembered for decades to come. Good luck Ruturaj for your new responsibility as a CSK leader” wrote Irfan Pathan.

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Meanwhile, legendary Indian bowler Jhulan Goswami remarked that Dhoni’s resignation marked the end of an era but expressed faith in Gaikwad’s capability to excel as captain.