IPL 2022: Ravindra Jadeja quits CSK captaincy after dip in form; MS Dhoni back at helm

Chennai Super Kings captain came to a halt a day before the team’s ninth game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The allrounder, who took over as CSK skipper, stepped down after discussions with MS Dhoni, coach Stephen Fleming and the management. CSK informed in a statement that Jadeja has relinquished his post and Dhoni will take over as the captain. One understands that Jadeja’s dip in form was a cause of concern for the management and it was decided that the allrounder should continue as a player. This season, Jadeja has managed only 112 runs so far at an average of 22.40, which is his lowest in the last few years. Even with the ball, he has only got five wickets so far and an economy-rate of 8.19 is way higher than his career IPL career IPL economy rate of 7.64.

CSK, after six defeats, are in a tight corner and it will be a miracle if they make the Play-offs this season. In such a situation, the feeling was to give Jadeja the freedom to play his game ahead of the T20 World Cup in October-November and not worry too much about captaincy. But according to sources, it doesn’t mean that Jadeja wouldn’t be considered for captaincy again next season if Dhoni decides to hang up his boots. “There’s no point pre-empting what’s going to happen a year down the line. For now it’s important Jadeja returns to form,” a source in the know told TOI. The issue was handled in a very dignified manner by Fleming, Dhoni and Jadeja himself with the Saurashtra man being absolutely normal outwardly about the decision. During the eight games that Jadeja was in charge, it was often seen that Dhoni was doing the captaincy. But it didn’t necessarily mean that Jadeja wasn’t given captaincy responsibilities at all.