Pragyan Ojha, former Indian spinner feels Kane Williamson could be MS Dhoni’s successor at CSK as MS Dhoni is nearing the end of his cricketing career.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might have rediscovered their old form but that doesn’t change the fact that skipper MS Dhoni is at the fag end of his career. Having retired from international cricket last year, MS Dhoni continues to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) but that also has to end sometime soon as he nears 40 years of age.
Pragyan Ojha: Kane Williamson Isn’t Utilizef Much At SRH And Since Mega Auction Is In Next Year, CSK Can Bring In Him As Skipper
MS Dhoni had retired from international cricket last year and might quit IPL after the ongoing season. Ravindra Jadeja’s name has been floated by many for the role of CSK skipper after his exit. Pragyan Ojha feels Kiwi skipper and SRH’s batting mainstay Kane Williamson will be MS Dhoni’s ideal successor.
Many feel the IPL 2021 season could be talismanic skipper MS Dhoni’s last while there are a few who feel the wicket-keeper batsman might play for one more year.
Nevertheless, when it comes to picking his successor, the one name that is often advocated is spin all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s. However, former India cricketer Pragyan Ojha feels Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman Kane Williamson would be his ideal replacement.
“He (Ravindra Jadeja) can be a vice-captain where if you need some help then can be your guy. But if you’re talking about captaincy, then if there’s one guy who can do it, it’s Kane Williamson. He isn’t being utilized much there (at SRH). Mega-auction is next year, if MS Dhoni is playing then this question shouldn’t arise in the first place. However, if he doesn’t play then you can bring in Kane Williamson as a captain,” said Pragyan Ojha in conversation with Cricbuzz.
Over the years, southpaw Suresh Raina has fulfilled the role of vice-captain at CSK but many even consider him lucky to have gotten an IPL 2021 contract from the franchise’s management. With the IPL 2022 season set to witness a mega auction, there’s a huge chance that Suresh Raina will be released back in the pool while CSK would also look to rope in a player that could become MS Dhoni’s long-term successor.
Kane Williamson Led SRH All The Way To The Final Of The IPL 2018 Season
When David Warner was banned due to his involvement in the infamous ball-tampering scandal, it was Kane Williamson who had led the Sunrisers franchise all the way to the final of the IPL 2018 season. David Warner’s return saw Kane Williamson returning to a player-only role but his credentials as a skipper are well-known considering the success the Kiwi has enjoyed with the New Zealand national cricket team.
SRH played the first three matches without their talismanic batsman Kane Williamson and the David Warner-led side also failed to register a win initially in IPL 2021.
SRH registered victory against Punjab Kings in their 4th game where Kane Williamson returned and scored an unbeaten 16 to see SRH winning by 9 wickets. The team lost again to Delhi Capitals albeit the Super Over and then to MS Dhoni’s CSK to be placed 7th with only 2 points.
Kane Williamson has played 3 IPL 2021 games scoring 108 runs with an unbeaten 66 against Delhi Capitals his highest. He had scored 735 runs in IPL 2018 averaging 52.5 where he led from the front. SRH won their only title in 2016 when skipper David Warner scored 848 runs averaging 60.57 in 17 games.