IPL 2023: CSK spots Dhoni’s successor

On Monday, a curious event happened at the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai. Unsurprisingly, a large gathering of MS Dhoni-intoxicated fans swarmed the arena, cheering ‘Dhoni Dhoni’ during CSK’s practice game, crowding outside a glass-panelled gym room to cheer their ‘thala’ pulling down weight on a power rack, but it was the baton-passing cheers that sparked the interest. After 25 minutes of cheering for their beloved Dhoni from three galleries, the fans started to chant ‘Ben Stokes’. It swelled around the arena like an aural wave – an endorsement from the Yellove faithful about CSK’s future direction.

Nayagan meendum varaar… 💛🥳#WhlePodu #Anbuden 🦁 pic.twitter.com/3wQb1Zxppe
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 27, 2023
The past, the present and the immediate future will be Dhoni, but the future, undoubtedly with the benevolent shadow of their beloved leader, is pointing towards England’s charismatic Ben Stokes. There is no official word yet on the succession plan, but there is definite hope and belief that in Stokes, Chennai have found their heir apparent. “That call is for Dhoni to take and we have left to his choice,” a CSK official said. “Our role as always ends with assembling the team that Dhoni asks for and we are a team that is always process oriented. And that process has started since the time the players landed in the city on March 2 for the preparatory camp,” the official said.
But the leadership signs are already there to see, especially on CSK’s social media handles where Stokes is already being billed as the ‘Chosen one’ with hit numbers from Tamil movies playing in the backdrop. Even songs of Rajnikanth, which were usually reserved for Dhoni, were found in post for Stokes. Even though the team has had star-studded overseas players in the past including the likes of Dwayne Bravo, Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey, Brendon McCullum, none have had the sort of reception that Stokes has managed to pull off so far.
According to those in the know when Chennai went back to the drawing board ahead of the player auction, Stokes name was top on Dhoni’s wish-l. Having already got acquainted with Stokes during their tenure with Rising Pune Supergiants, Dhoni and head coach Stephen Fleming have been long admirers of the Englishman. And the stunning manner in which Stokes is revolutionising the long format as captain of England was also not lost.
It is understood that in the lead up the player auctions in December, Fleming even tapped on inputs from Brendon McCullum, who is working with Stokes as coach of England’s red-ball team, and one who has been part of the Chennai Super Kings set up in the past, to know about the player and his leadership qualities. There is a reason why Chennai are not willing to take anything for granted when it comes to having a succession plan in place.

Anbuden Vibe Check = 💛🤗🙌#WhlePodu #Yellove pic.twitter.com/Wmigz6jXuK
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 27, 2023
For a franchise that has been meticulous and very clear with the planning, CSK were at crossroads for a change. Even though in the 2020 season they had failed to qualify for the play-offs for the first time, there was a feeling within the set up that if not for the Covid-19 bout in the camp upon landing in the UAE, things would have been different. And their belief was vindicated in 2021 when they won the title. But last year, post flirting with Jadeja, they would finish ninth. For the first time since they came into being in 2008, they tried to look beyond Dhoni as captain. For a team that pledges on continuity and relationships off the field, they went in for Jadeja but it didn’t work out.
For years, the franchise didn’t even groom anyone from within for the captaincy role be it Suresh Raina, Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis. But, not anymore; this is where Stokes comes in. Be it matching his stature as a captain – on and off the field – or it comes to stardom, Stokes is second to none. And like how in Virat Kohli, India had a player who seamlessly took over from Dhoni, there is every reason for Chennai to feel the same with Stokes.

There are other reasons as well that have impressed the captain-coach duo. Like Dhoni, Stokes has been a captain who mostly prefers to playing to the strength and keeps it simple. For instance, when he took over as England’s Test captain, Stokes quickly accepted McCullum’s theory to back their strength – power-hitting and scoring runs at a quicker pace in Tests – and has turned around the tables for England and Test cricket itself, it could be argued. And beyond Dhoni, Chennai couldn’t have asked for a bigger crowd-puller. Like Dhoni, Stokes is a maverick, one who can hit the ball long and hard, is inspirational like their Captain Cool, can pull-off hes with the bat, and can contribute beyond batting.

#ThalaDharisanam ft Superfans 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/9XCdONMTTg
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 27, 2023
Unlike six months ago where the mood was sombre even among the faithful fans and the franchise was wondering when and where their next captain would come, the arrival of Stokes has changed everything. It is as if a kingdom, which was long waiting for its crown prince to arrive, has finally got one to replace its aging King, or in Chennai’s case ‘Thala’.

Going Ballic! 💥⚔️#WhlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 @imjadeja @benstokes38 pic.twitter.com/IZ0QjqNPXd
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 26, 2023
The insiders also believe that this year would be perfect for Stokes to learn about the CSK ecosystem – get himself acquainted with the players, the management, the fans, and the brand of CSK.
He would have got a taste of it when CSK released a Instagram video of him set to the tune of epic BGM of Rajnikanth from the 1992 blockbuster Annamalai. It was the movie that launched the superstardom of Rajnikanth, the first film to feature the introductory Superstar title card, where the words form in blue dots on the theatre screens. It’s said that Rajini initially objected to the title card as he was a touch shy about using the tag, but eventually buckled and basked in the adoration. Stokes might be England’s greatest star and has the cricketing world’s respect, but as he will find out soon, the adoration and love that will come his way will be something else. As the insanely famous Rajini line from that movie goes (Start the car!) – Edu Vandi!