What next for CSK: If not Ravindra Jadeja, where is captain MS Dhoni's successor?
India Today
IPL 2022: While reviving Chennai Super Kings' ongoing campaign will be priority for MS Dhoni and the management the search for the legendary captain's successor after the failed experiment with Ravindra Jadeja is going to be a tough task.
As former England spinner Graeme Swann said, the return of MS Dhoni as Chennai Super Kings captain is something that CSK fans wouldn't have even dared to dream of. On Sunday, May 1, the legendary skipper will lead the Men in Yellow out on the field at the MCA Stadium in Pune against the SunRisers Hyderabad in a clutch IPL 2022 contest.
However, there will be a sense of nervousness among even the most ardent fans of the 4-time title-winning franchise, given how MS Dhoni has returned to the throne. CSK are in danger of not making the play-offs for only the 2nd time in the tournament history after 2020 as the defending champions have managed just 2 wins from their first 8 matches. With 16 points seemingly being the magic number, CSK can't afford any more slip-ups.
CSK have always been known for their stability and that's why Ravindra Jadeja's decision to give up captaincy 8 matches into the IPL 2022 season looks very unlike-CSK. In an unexpected media release, Chennai Super Kings said Jadeja had requested Dhoni to take over the captaincy with the franchise saying that the star all-rounder wanted to 'to focus and concentrate more on his game'. It also noted that Dhoni agreed to the request, keeping in mind the larger interest of the team.
The change of captaincy, coming on the eve of a crucial contest from a team that has had familiar faces in their camp over the years did help raise a few eyebrows. MS Dhoni had given up captaincy just 2 days ahead of the IPL 2022 season, handing over the baton to Ravindra Jadeja. Things haven't worked out for Jadeja since as the star all-rounder has seen a dip in form, managing just 112 runs in 8 matches. Jadeja was even dropping catches!
While former cricketers and pundits have lauded the 'brave' call from Ravindra Jadeja to give up captaincy midway during the season, one can only hope that it doesn't affect the confidence of an otherwise assured and composed India cricketer. In the past, quite a few have struggled to turn it around after relinquishing captaincy midway through the season.
Celebrated cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle put it across well when he said on social media that he hopes Jadeja doesn't feel a 'sense of failure'.
"The return of Dhoni as captain might cheer fans but it is Jadeja who is the more critical person here. If he found it a burden and if it releases him, this might be good news. But I hope he doesn't feel a sense of failure because that could affect him for a while," he said on Saturday.
