Dhoni's 2017 RPSG Captaincy Sacking Shocked Players, Faf du Plessis Reveals

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CFLL Staff

Published on

28 Oct 2026 | 11:30 AM
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Picture Credit: AFP PHOTO

Former RPSG star Faf du Plessis has revealed that the team's players were profoundly shocked following owner Sanjeev Goenka's decision to sack MS Dhoni as captain. This significant leadership change, occurring in 2017, caused considerable surprise within the squad.

 

The controversial move saw owner Sanjeev Goenka remove cricketing icon MS Dhoni from his captaincy role. This unexpected announcement in 2017 sent ripples through the RPSG dressing room and the wider cricketing community, surprising many.

 

The Captaincy Change

 

According to du Plessis, the collective sentiment among RPSG players was one of deep shock. Such a dramatic leadership alteration, involving a figure of Dhoni's stature and experience, was clearly unforeseen by most individuals within the squad at that time.

 

The revelation highlights the immediate impact owner Sanjeev Goenka's decision had on RPSG team morale. Players, including Faf du Plessis, were reportedly caught off guard by MS Dhoni's removal as captain, leading to widespread astonishment.

 

Player Reactions Revealed

 

Faf du Plessis, an ex-star player for RPSG, provides a unique insight into the team's internal reactions. His account confirms the depth of feeling among players when Sanjeev Goenka made the significant captaincy switch in 2017, sparking disbelief.

 

The former RPSG player clarified that franchise ownership, specifically Sanjeev Goenka, was responsible for the contentious captaincy change. Sacking MS Dhoni in 2017, a widely surprising move, became a defining moment for the team.

 

Insights from an Ex-Star

 

Du Plessis's disclosure offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes, confirming that owner Sanjeev Goenka's decision to sack MS Dhoni as captain in 2017 truly left RPSG players in a state of shock. This incident remains a key historical point.