Ravindra Jadeja decided to step down as the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) skipper after 8 matches in charge in IPL 2022 and hand it back to MS Dhoni. Prior to the start of the season, Dhoni, who had led CSK since 2008, had given the reins to the all-rounder.
However, as the defending champions stand on the verge of being eliminated from the playoff race – they have won only 2 out of 8 matches – Ravindra Jadeja and the management felt fit that their talismanic skipper to take back the duties in order to revive their season and also help Jadeja relieve the pressure.
Here are 3 reasons why this decision works in the best for CSK:
Allows Jadeja to play free from captaincy pressure
The first thing to notice in CSK’s official statement was that it was Jadeja who “decided to relinquish captaincy to focus and concentrate more on his game”. The southpaw had “requested MS Dhoni to lead CSK” again which the former captain accepted “in the larger interest and to allow Jadeja to focus on his game”.
Jadeja’s individual performance has been below-par this season: In 8 matches, despite taking a promotion in the batting order, Jadeja has scored only 112 runs at a strike rate of 121, much lower than what had been in the past couple of seasons; his best score has been 26*. With the ball, the spinner hasn’t been as potent and economical as he’d been in the previous seasons, managing just 5 wickets in 8 matches while conceding runs at an economy of 8.19 runs per over.
With the captaincy pressure now released, a liberated Ravindra Jadeja is perhaps what would be best for CSK and for the cricketer.
CSK need Dhoni’s magic as captain
CSK have 4 points so far and have 6 games left. Now while a 14-point qualification scenario looks difficult this year because of 10 teams than 8, it’s is possible and CSK’s chances of qualifying for the playoffs are yet decent if they go on a winning spree.
What they need now is some MS Dhoni magic to turn the tide.
Impact of MS Dhoni on players as captain on the field compared to Jadeja
Being the best fielder in his team, Jadeja was often seen standing on the boundary line, especially during the death overs. Hence, he wasn’t able to have as much influence on the bowler as a captain should.
In that case, it was Dhoni who already was calling the shots and making plenty of decisions, but it also kept Jadeja’s mind busy – he’d dropped a couple of catches – a rarity on the cricket field. Now, Jadeja can keep his mind free of any stress about marshalling the bowlers or ringing the bowling changes.
Further, MS Dhoni, without a doubt, would have had a lot more influence on his players than an inexperienced captain such as Jadeja did. So, it works out best for everyone that Dhoni takes back the reins.
