Chennai is the Indian T20 League’s one of the most successful and most consistent sides. They are the only sides that never changed their skipper in the history of the tournament. MS Dhoni has captained the side in all seasons. Chennai made into the finals eight times out of 11 appearances and missed out playoffs just once in 2020. They won three titles in 2010, 2011, and 2018. Chennai were the first team who defended their title and they achieved this feat in 2011.
After Indian T20 League 2021, BCCI will organize a mega auction for next season and Chennai will look to build a strong team for the future. MS Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020 and he might be unavailable for next season. Chennai management can offer him a big role in coaching staff and team management. For a bright future, Chennai will also look for a solid captain who can lead Yellow Army for the next 4-5 years. In today’s segment, we pick five possible picks for the captaincy role:
David Warner
We didn’t expect Warner on this list after his love for Hyderabad but his team management showed some signs for the upcoming mega auction. Hyderabad sacked Warner from the captaincy and even dropped him from the playing XI. Kane Williamson was the main contender to lead the Chennai but it’s expected that Hyderabad will continue with Kane for the future. Warner can fulfill the role in the top-order for Chennai and his good experience in captaincy can help Chennai. Warner guided Hyderabad to win the title in 2016 and he has scored more than 500 runs each season he played for Hyderabad. Hyderabad will retain Rashid and Kane for sure. It means Warner will be available to buy in the auction.
Steve Smith
Former Australian captain Steve Smith is also a prominent choice for the skipper role. Smith has led Rajasthan in Indian T20 League and currently, he is playing for Delhi. Smith showed his impressive captaincy in 2017 when he led Pune to the final. He almost clinched the title but his side lost by just one run in the final. Smith would be a solid player at Chennai’s home ground. Chepauk’s surface suits his playing style. Delhi will surely not retain him before the mega auction and he will be available to buy in auction. Smith can play a sheet-anchor role in middle-order and his captaincy experience can help Chennai for upcoming seasons.
Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik might be a surprising name on this list but we cannot deny his contribution as the captain. Karthik has led Kolkata in Indian T20 League and his captaincy was on point. Karthik has also won titles for his state. Karthik has the good experience of captaincy and helped Chennai to win domestic trophies. Chennai franchise can take the local guy for the big role. He has played lot of cricket at Chepauk and he can also fill the wicket-keeping spot after Dhoni. Kolkata would not retain him so he will be a hot property among all wicket-keepers.
Ravindra Jadeja
Chennai can look at their already available option after Dhoni’s departure. Jadeja has been a key figure for Chennai and played more than 100 games for this franchise. Chennai will retain this Indian all-rounder for sure and Jadeja will be part of the squad for the future. Jadeja is now an experienced guy and he has played a lot of competitive cricket in the last one decade. He will also get the support of the coaching staff with whom Jadeja worked for almost 10 years. Fleming and Dhoni both can give a node to Jadeja for the captaincy role. Chennai have the option of Raina but the left-hander will not be available for the future and the franchise will not retain him for 2022.
Suryakumar Yadav
The in-form Mumbai player is in tremendous form and he made his international debut in 2021 against England with a cracking half-century. He is part of the Mumbai franchise but he will be released ahead of the Mega auction because Mumbai will retain Bumrah, Rohit, and Pollard for the future. Suryaluymar Yadav will be available to buy in auction and Chennai can target him. SKY might be a handy replacement for Raina in middle-order. Suryakumar Yadav has captained Mumbai at the domestic level and has a good experience of captaincy.
