MS Dhoni resigns as CSK captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad to lead side
In a shocking development, MS Dhoni, the veteran skipper of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has stepped down from the captaincy just before the IPL 2024. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was supposed to replace him at the helm, will lead the Yellow Army, as confirmed by the IPL website.
Dhoni, who has been captaining CSK ever since the inception of the tournament, decided to quit his captaincy just before the IPL 2022. Ravindra Jadeja took on the leadership duties in his absence. However, it did not last long after CSK’s torrid performances under Jadeja’s captaincy, leaving CSK management to request Dhoni to rethink his decision again.
There have been plenty of rumours around the participation of Dhoni, who has now turned 42. Despite the fact that he looked fitter than ever in his recent practice sessions, there is a time when everyone has to hang up their boots. Now, speculations have resurfaced that this could be the last year for Dhoni in IPL.
Ruturaj made his IPL debut in 2020, and since then, he has only played for one franchise: Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Over the years, he has become quite a figure with supreme consistency at the top, having aggregated 1797 runs in 52 matches at an average of 39.07 and a strike rate of 135.52. His best IPL season came in 2021, when he tallied 635 runs over 16 outings at a spectacular average of 45.35.
Gaikwad will have his first match as CSK’s captain when they take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2024 opener at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.
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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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