Ravindra Jadeja has finally opened up about his brief and tumultuous stint as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain during the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL), calling it a “difficult” experience that impacted both his form and mindset. In a candid conversation with teammate Ravichandran Ashwin on the YouTube show Kutti Stories With Ash, Jadeja shared his side of the story for the first time since the controversial leadership switch that season.
A ROCKY START TO LEADERSHIP
Ahead of IPL 2022, CSK made a surprising announcement: MS Dhoni, the long-standing and iconic leader of the franchise, would step down, handing the captaincy reins to Ravindra Jadeja. The move was seen as a step toward a new era for the franchise. However, the decision backfired quickly. Under Jadeja’s leadership, CSK struggled winning only two of their first eight matches.
“I could have done better,” Jadeja reflected. “T20 is a fast-paced game where every ball is an event. When the team isn’t performing, the captain is blamed for everything—be it bowling changes, field placements, or decisions under pressure.”
PERFORMANCE DIP AND RESIGNATION
The leadership responsibilities appeared to take a toll on Jadeja’s individual game. With the bat, he managed only 112 runs in eight matches, averaging 22.4 with a strike rate of 121.7—significantly lower than his form in the previous two seasons, where he scored 459 runs at an average of 57.3 and a strike rate of 157.7.
His bowling was similarly affected. He took just five wickets at a high average of 42.6 and an economy rate of 8.1. In contrast, Jadeja had claimed 19 wickets across the 2020 and 2021 seasons with an economy rate of 7.7.
Amid the pressure and scrutiny, Jadeja decided to step down mid-season to focus on his own performance. He reportedly discussed the decision with head coach Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni, before officially requesting the veteran skipper to retake charge. CSK owner N. Srinivasan was also informed of the internal developments.
THE AFTERMATH
The sudden captaincy reversal sparked widespread media speculation about possible tensions between Jadeja and Dhoni, though both players and the franchise maintained a united front publicly.
Looking back, Jadeja admits the situation could have been handled better. “It was an experience,” he said. “If the team had been winning and everyone was contributing, then it wouldn’t have felt so complicated. But that wasn’t the case.”
Despite the challenges of IPL 2022, Jadeja has since bounced back as a key contributor for CSK, showcasing his resilience and importance to the team.
