'He stepped away at exactly the right time' - AB de Villiers backs MS Dhoni's decision of quitting CSK captaincy

Legendary skipper MS Dhoni stepped down as the Chennai Super Kings captain just two days ahead of the commencement of the IPL 2022 after having led the franchise successfully for 12 seasons. Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been named his successor and he will be expected to take the legacy of the franchise forward.

Meanwhile, former South African batting great AB de Villiers has come forward and backed Dhoni’s move of relinquishing CSK’s captaincy. At the same time, ‘Mr.360’ also made it clear the veteran stumper made the right decision to step down as captain after the Yellow Army won their fourth title last season.

I am actually quite happy for MS Dhoni: AB de Villiers

“I am not surprised by MS’ move. I am actually quite happy for him. Having carried that burden for so long, people might think that it is easy to be captain, but it really wears you down. You have sleepless nights sometimes, especially when you don’t have good seasons. But I think he stepped away at exactly the right time, having won the last IPL. The season before the last would have hurt him a lot”, said De Villiers while speaking on VUSport Scouts.

“To come back and win the trophy and then say ‘I’ll still play but someone else takes over and I’ll be there to support,’ it’s the perfect move”, he added.

The ex-Proteas skipper was an integral part of the RCB setup from 2011 till last season. However, he shocked the world by announcing his retirement from all forms of the game in November last year which meant that he was ultimately not in the team’s scheme of things as a player. Nonetheless, there were rumors that De Villiers could be appointed as the Bengaluru-based franchise’s mentor.

Coming back to CSK, the defending champions would be pumped up heading into this year’s competition having rebuilt their squad and with the appointment of new skipper Jadeja as they eye a record-equaling fifth IPL crown.

CSK will begin their IPL 2022 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 26.