At the commencement of the present 2022 season of the Indian Premier League, Ravindra Jadeja took over as captain of the Chennai Super Kings from MS Dhoni. However, under Jadeja’s guidance, the squad has struggled to get off to a good start this season. With five defeats in seven matches this season, the four-time champions are having a difficult time.
Apart from this, many people believe that Dhoni is still directing the decisions on the field for Chennai Super Kings, therefore Jadeja’s leadership has come under scrutiny.
Ravindra Jadeja may not have had an ideal start to his leadership tenure with Chennai Super Kings, but he has received overwhelming backing from his teammates, who think that despite being tasked with filling MS Dhoni‘s space in the team, the 33-year-old has what it takes. Not only that, but one of his CSK colleagues, a senior IPL batsman, has supported Jadeja for the ultimate post of Indian cricket team commander.
Ambati Rayudu speaks on Ravindra Jadeja’s Captaincy
Further, on the subject, Ambati Rayudu stated that the great all-rounder will seek advice from MS Dhoni until he reaches his stature. Rayudu remarked in an interview with CSK’s YouTube channel:
“Filling in MS Dhoni’s shoes, it’s never going to happen. But Jaddu definitely has it in him and under the guidance of Mahi Bhai and till the time he’s around on the ground with him, it will be very easy for him. Jadeja will become better. He has it in him to not only lead CSK but also India one day.”
Rayudu also mentioned that CSK is going through a transitional period, with a number of young players getting promoted under Jadeja’s leadership, and that the team is on the right track. He went on to say,
“There is the shift and it has to come. A lot of youngsters will continue to feature in CSK as the years go by. Having a young captain like Jadeja who has done it and seen it all, it will be great for them to be under him and have his confidence. They have the backing of the captain and I think he is going in the right direction and even the team is. CSK will be very, very successful under him.”
In the IPL 2022 season, CSK has only won two games out of eight putting them in the second last place in the points table. As a result, in order to qualify for the playoffs, they must remodel and regain pace in the second half of the league stage.
On Monday evening (April 25), they faced Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where, despite Rayadu’s incredible knock, the team failed to accomplish the target for the second time. People are once again criticising Jadeja for not properly guiding his squad.
In the match, Punjab Kings captain Mayank Agarwal was knocked out early in the powerplay. PBKS reached 187/4 at the conclusion of their 20 overs thanks to a 110-run partnership between Shikhar Dhawan (88) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (42) and some hard-hitting strokes from Liam Livingstone (19).
CSK lost wickets at frequent intervals while chasing 188, but Ruturaj Gaikwad (30) and Ambati Rayadu ensured the team reached 50 runs in 7.5 overs. Rayadu (78) then maintained his attack on Punjab’s pace bowlers, putting together a 64-run partnership with skipper Ravindra Jadeja (21).
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MS Dhoni attempted to lead his team over the line in the final over, but was trapped by Jonny Bairstow while aiming to knock the ball over the boundaries. Shikhar Dhawan was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his 88 not out off 59 balls, which featured nine fours and two sixes. Punjab Kings won the match by 11 runs.