Rising Pune Supergiants owner Sanjiv Goenka has said MS Dhoni fully supported the franchise’s decision of appointing an young captain to lead the side in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.
Just a day before the auction, the Pune-based franchise dropped a huge bombshell by sacking one of the most successful skippers of this generation. After a dismal inaugural season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where they finished second last in the league, Goenka said that the franchise was keen to appoint an young captain to change the fortune of the team.
And while the decision has left everyone surprised, Goenka said that Dhoni was very cooperative with the team.
Speaking to India Today, Goenka said:“We have decided to appoint Steve Smith as captain for this season. The first thing I will like to say is that Dhoni is somebody who has been a phenomenal leader. I have learnt so much from him during the last season of the Indian Premier League. Cool, calm, statesman-like, sharp thinker. He is an outstanding player. He is an asset for any team.”
“When we went in to the last season, we went in with expectations that we will do well but we landed up second from the bottom. At the end of the season, me and my management sat and reflected that what we could we do differently to make this season better for us. We decided that we needed to have a fitter team,” he added.
Revealing the reason behind his team’s decision to release 11 players, he said:“Mahi of course is the fittest of the fit but we needed to have a fitter team and that’s why we dropped 11 players, many of whom physically completely unfit and past their prime. We wanted a young captain. We had the luxury of having Steve Smith and Faf du Plessis, two international world class captains in our team and we decided to have Steve. I spoke to Steve, he is very happy to accept. I have also spoken with Mahi and he says that’s absolutely fine.”
Speaking over Dhoni’s reaction to the surprising decision, Goenka said:“We have spoken with Dhoni. My CEO was with him for a long period of time in Ranchi and Dhoni said that’s perfectly fine. He was cooperation personified, he was very sweet about it. He is a thorough professional, he respects the decision. He said it is the franchise’s call and he will cooperate in whichever way.”