All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been named the new skipper for the Chennai Super Kings cricket franchise. MS Dhoni announced his decision to step down from the leadership position after leading the team since the tournament’s inception in 2008.
“MS Dhoni has decided to hand over the leadership of Chennai Super Kings and picked Ravindra Jadeja to lead the team,”
CSK said in a statement on Thursday.
Thus, Jadeja, who has been part of the franchise since 2012, will become only the third player to lead the Chennai-based team, after Dhoni and Suresh Raina. Prior to the IPL mega auctions last month, Jadeja was retained for Rs 16 crores.
This is however set to be a new challenge for Jadeja who has never led a team at the senior level, although he did captain the Indian under-19 team for a brief period in 2007.
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Dhoni, who is affectionately called ‘Thala’ by the CSK faithful has won four IPL titles for the franchise in 2010, 2011, 2018 and 2021. He is the second-most successful skipper in IPL history. Only present Indian captain Rohit Sharma has won more – 5 titles with Mumbai Indians.
Reacting to the development, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said, as quoted by PTI,
“If Dhoni takes a decision, it has to be in the best interest of the team. See whatever decision MS takes it is in the best interest of the team. So there is nothing to worry for us. We respect his decision. He is always there to guide us. He has always been the guiding force and will continue to be the guiding force.”
When stressed on whether this will be Dhoni’s last season, Viswanathan was quick in dismissing the notion:
“I don’t think it will be his last season. As long as he is fit, we want him to play. That is my wish, I don’t know about him (what he thinks).”
The CSK CEO also backed Jadeja to do well for the franchise.
“See Jaddu will do well. He is probably in the best form of his career. He will definitely do well under Dhoni’s guidance. Jaddu has been with us for 10 years and he very well knows the team culture.”
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Meanwhile, Raina, who is also the leading run-scorer for the franchise, welcomed the decision of Dhoni before suggesting no one at the moment is better placed than the southpaw to lead the defending champions. Raina further stated that he is confident that Jadeja will fulfil all the needs of the team and its fans in the IPL.
“Absolutely thrilled for my brother. I can’t think of anyone better to take over the reins of a franchise we both had grown up in. All the best@imjadeja. It’s an exciting phase and I’m sure you will live up to all the expectations and love #yellow #csk #WhistlePodu,”
Raina tweeted hours after Jadeja was named CSK’s new captain.
CSK will open their IPL15 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26.