The major news learnt about star Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is that he will continue with the franchise next season. This comes as a sort of quashing off the rumours that Jadeja had a fall out with MS Dhoni and the CSK franchise following his axing as the captain and him abruptly walking out of the ongoing IPL 2022.
Several media reports had suggested that Jadeja unhappily left the IPL bubble following his rib injury which ruled him out of the remainder of the season. According to the franchise’s statements, Jadeja himself had stepped down as the captain after CSK managed only 2 wins in 8 matches and his own performance also dipped.
However, now ESPNcricinfo has reported that Ravindra Jadeja, who led CSK for 8 matches and then gave the captaincy back to Dhoni, “will also be in the mix for the 2023 season” and that the all-rounder remains on good terms with the skipper and the franchise.
MS Dhoni confirms he will lead CSK next season
But the most significant development for the Super Kings on Friday was MS Dhoni himself confirming that he will continue to play and lead the franchise next season as well. Dhoni, already the oldest player in the tournament will be close to 42 when the next IPL comes, explained that he wants to play in front of his home ground in Chennai for one last time and hence will continue for the IPL 2023.
Speaking at the toss of CSK’s last league game of the season against Rajasthan Royals, Dhoni was asked about his future in the IPL by Ian Bishop.
Dhoni said: “Definitely [I will play IPL 2023]. It’s a simple reason: it will be unfair to not play in Chennai and say thank you [to the fans]. Mumbai is one place where, as a team and as an individual, I have got a lot of love and affection. But it wouldn’t be nice to the CSK fans.
“And also, hopefully next year there will be an opportunity where the teams will be travelling so it will be a like thank you to all the different places where we will be playing games at different venues. Whether it will be my last year or not that’s a big question, because you know we can’t really predict about something two years down the line. But definitely I’ll be working hard to come back strong next year.”
