Sun. Jun 1st, 2025

Jadeja Opens Up on CSK Captaincy Controversy: "It Was Difficult..."

When Ravindra Jadeja became captain of one of the most successful franchises in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the IPL 2022 season, it was supposed to be a rejuvenation moment for the franchise. The initiative was part of M.S. Dhoni’s role to prepare the next set of leadership. However, it turned out to be the biggest headline for months to come, particularly after CSK’s poor performance and Jadeja’s mid-season demotion. Now, three years later, Jadeja has finally opened up about his captaincy episode, and especially personal reflections on what really happened in that difficult period.

The Appointment: A New Chapter Begins

CSK took a surprising but calculated decision before IPL 2022 when they decided to hand the captaincy over from long-time allrounder MS Dhoni to Ravindra Jadeja. This finally closed the MS Dhoni chapter for CSK. They wanted to make a leadership change so that there would be leadership continuity while Jadeja learned under Dhoni. Apparently, this did not happen smoothly.

The Fallout: A Captain Under Pressure

Under Jadeja’s captaincy, CSK lost six matches of their first eight games, including their first four in a row (and their first two games in the tournament). The slump was surprising from a team that won a championship in 2021 before deciding to part ways with the franchise’s greatest captain (according to most of you). As the pressure mounted, Jadeja was the focus. Everything was under the microscope, from field placements to bowling changes.

In a recent episode of Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube show ‘Kutti Stories with Ash’, Jadeja candidly shared, “ It was difficult. In T20 cricket, every ball is an event. It is a fast game but for me it was an experience. I could have done better.” Jadeja’s candidness provided fans with a glimpse into the strain on both his emotions and mental state about leading our brand as a franchise, and one of the biggest franchises at that, CSK.

"All the Blame Falls on the Captain"

Reflecting on the criticism he received, Jadeja said, “As a captain, if your team is not doing well, then all the blame falls on you — the thinking, the bowling changes, fielding chances.” The T20 format, it is fast moving and unpredictable. A captain is idolized in wins and ridiculed in losses. For Jadeja, this was his first step into the world of leading at the highest level.

Even after a terrible set of eight matches, it is important to note that Jadeja never made complaints and or backed out. He simply accepted the expectations on him, kept his head down and continued to help the team where he could. In short, after eight matches MS Dhoni resumed captaincy which was seen as a move of desperation to attempt to salvage the season. However, the defence was weak, and they still didn’t make the playoffs and missed the target of losing 12 matches.

Rumours and Rift: A Season of Speculations

After the season ended, rumours about a rift between Jadeja and CSK management started to arise. There were reports of Jadeja leaving the franchise, before IPL 2023, in the media. Reports of Jadeja being unhappy, not feeling the emotional connection, etc. But then fans were happy, as Jadeja only returned in 2023, playing a key role in leading CSK to their 5th IPL title.

Redemption in 2023: A Champion Once Again

The IPL 2023 final was a fairytale ending for Jadeja. The all-rounder played against Gujarat Titans and achieved a match-winning performance that seated him for life in the CSK folklore. His final over – scoring the needed 10 runs in the last two balls – were put in writing as CSK clinched the title.

It was a moment of poetic justice. The same individual that was questioned on his captaincy was now the hero leading his team to a significant victory. This win silenced the doubters but also redeemed Jadeja.

Lessons Learned: Captaincy is a Crucible

During the podcast, Jadeja expanded on the notion that T20 captaincy is as much about strategy as it is about momentum. To his point, “ Sometimes, normal things work, but when your players don’t contribute, you cannot win in the T20 format. I felt I could have done better, could I have done differently,“

He also spoke to the need for adaptability especially when it comes to batting order changes, “ In the T20 format, batting order needs to be shuffled,” These observations showed the extent to which he had analysed his time as captain albeit short, and also how he learned from it.

The Bigger Picture: Jadeja’s Journey in Yellow

Ravindra Jadeja’s CSK journey has had its share of ups and downs, from the favoured all-rounder to the captain with pressure piled on him and then to being a match-winner again. All the while loyalty and perseverance were his calling cards. IPL 2022 was only a rollercoaster-filled emotional chapter in his story.

From the start of all of this, what never changed through it was the unwavering support of CSK fans. The ‘Whistle Podu’ army supported Jadeja, and he rewarded their faith, leading from the front, under pressure in 2023.

Final Thoughts

Jadeja’s revelations provide closure for fans and an explanation of a previously mute circumstance. Most notably, his account reiterates the human side of cricket – the emotion, the mistakes, the development, and the redemption.

From captain under scrutiny to champion, Ravindra Jadeja’s journey is a remarkable inspiration of persistence and belief. As CSK prepares for future seasons, it’s evident that everybody knows that Jadeja’s place in the yellow jersey is covered.

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