Follow UsMS Dhoni has handed over the Chennai Super Kings captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja just a couple of days prior to the Indian Premier League 2022, the franchise announced on Thursday (March 14.)
The spin-bowling all-rounder, who has been an integral part of the franchise since 2012, will become only the third player to lead CSK, after Dhoni and Suresh Raina.
The franchise also confirmed that "Dhoni will continue to represent Chennai Super Kings this season and beyond."
Talking to ESPNcricinfo, the CEO of the franchise, Kasi Viswanathan said: "MS Dhoni was thinking about it. He felt it is the right time to hand over the captaincy to Jaddu. He feels Jaddu is also in the prime form of his career and it is the ideal time for him to lead CSK. What will be good for the franchise must be (in the) back of his mind."
"It is similar to when he handed Virat the captaincy after having groomed him for a few years at international level. Similarly, he wanted the transition to be smooth. Jaddu has the potential to do well for the franchise. (He is a) good all-round cricketer, playing his best, he can get the team around. And MS' guidance will always be there. This will be a good induction program."
Dhoni has been Chennai's captain since the inception of the tournament and has led Chennai to four IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018 and 2021). CSK also ended up as the runners-up in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2019.Â
On top of that, the Men in Yellow have qualified for the playoffs every year except in 2020. Chennai played 204 encounters under his leadership and emerged victorious a record 121 times.Â
CSK were banned for two seasons in 2016 and 2017 and when the Men in Yellow made their return in 2018, Dhoni propelled the franchise to their third title. He was superb with the bat in 2018 and 2019 but hasn't done much in the last two years.Â
The 40-year-old is still fit and world-class behind the stumps but has struggled in the batting department, having operated at an average of 20.93 and a strike rate of 112.5 in the last two editions. However, one can't question his captaincy and the 2021 edition was a perfect example for all his critics. CSK didn't make it to the playoffs for the first time in 2020 but bounced back in 2021 and won the title once again.
The World Cup-winning captain has always been his own man when it comes to leaving captaincy or announcing his retirement. He quit Test captaincy and also the five-day game in the middle of a series in Australia in 2014. And when he thought Virat Kohli was ready to lead India across formats, Dhoni made way for him in 2017.
Though the inspirational leader carried on to play the IPL after announcing his international retirement in his inimitable style, his decision to hand over the CSK leadership to Jadeja was not entirely surprising.
Absolutely thrilled for my brother. I can't think of anyone better to take over the reins of a franchise we both had grown up in. All the best @imjadeja . It's an exciting phase and I'm sure you will live up to all the expectations and love #yellow #csk #WhistlePodu
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) March 24, 2022
Meanwhile, Jadeja has become a different beast over the last two years. Since IPL 2020, the left-hander averages 57.38 and has a strike rate of 157.7.
Defending champions CSK will open their campaign against last edition's runner-up side Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.