Ravindra Jadeja, the vice-captain of the Indian U-19 cricket team that won the World Cup in Malaysia in 2008, has been given the tough task to lead CSK. But whether or not he will succeed at the role remains the big question.
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When MS Dhoni was tasked to lead Chennai Super Kings (CSK) from 2008, the Indian national team, were still to rise to No.1 spot for the first time in Test cricket in 2009 and triumph in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. But his ability to lead the side with his calm and composed demeanour besides the crucial technique to read the game or player from behind the stumps to guide the youngsters made him the right choice. And the rest, as they say, is history!
Dhoni became a cult figure in the Southern India after making CSK one of the most consistent sides in the IPL. He lead them to four IPL triumphs besides winning the, now defunct, Champions League T20 two times.
But ahead of the IPL 2022 season, in the twilight zone of his career, Dhoni decided to step down as the captain of CSK and pass on the baton to the franchise veteran and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.
READ MORE: IPL 2022 CSK vs RCB: Live Streaming, When and where to watch, Preview
Jadeja has been a key figure for his state team Saurashtra in domestic cricket before becoming a regular feature for Team India. He, however, never led his state team in domestic cricket which highlights his lack of experience at the role.
The all-rounder was, meanwhile, deputy to Virat Kohli in their U-19 World Cup in Malaysia in 2008 but since then he has not been a part of the leadership group in the recent years.
Now whether or not, Jadeja, succeeds to maintain the legacy for the Chennai franchise remains to be seen. But his initial days as a captain has been nothing short of horrible.
CSK are currently sitting with a wooden spoon after their initial four fixtures under Jadeja and are still to get off the mark.
Incidentally, their losses, have been by big margins — KKR (six wickets), LSG (six wickets), PBKS (54 runs) and SRH (eight wickets) — which highlights the downfall for the franchise.
Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis was an integral part of the CSK franchise and played some important roles at top of the order. But he was released by the franchise ahead of the IPL mega auction and subsequently bought and appointed as the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
CSK management, meanwhile, have looked to back Indian players for the leadership role as besides Dhoni, their former star Suresh Raina have captained the side. But the presence of du Plessis as a leader for CSK could have allowed Jadeja to play with more freedom and contribute crucial runs for the franchise besides thriving with the ball.
