Chennai: All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will lead Chennai Super Kings in the forthcoming IPL 2022 following captain MS Dhoni’s decision to step down. Dhoni has led the team since the first season in 2008, except for the two years when the team was banned.
The IPL franchise confirmed this on their official website, and added that “Dhoni will continue to represent Chennai Super Kings this season and beyond”.
“Dhoni wanted the leadership ‘transition to be smooth’ and felt Jadeja was ready to take up the mantle for the team, which won its fourth IPL title last year,” Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
According to Viswanathan, Dhoni had made his decision on Thursday at the team meeting prior to the squad’s departure for training. The holders will play the lung opener against Kolkata Knight Riders in the league fixtures at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, March 26.
“MS Dhoni was thinking about it. He felt it is the right time to hand over captaincy to Jaddu [Jadeja]. He feels Jaddu is also in prime form of his career and it is the ideal time for him lead CSK. What will be good for the franchise must be [in the] back of his mind,” Viswanathan was quoted as saying by the website
Jadeja has been with the franchise since 2012 and is set to become the third player to lead the Super Kings side, after Dhoni and Suresh Raina.
📑 Official Statement 📑#WhistlePodu #Yellove 💛🦁 @msdhoni @imjadeja
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 24, 2022
