The IPL 2022 season is underway, and it is attracting a lot of attention for a variety of reasons. But the performance of two gigantic teams in IPL 2022 was the most unexpected thing that occurred. One is the reigning champion, while the other holds the most titles. Both are doing so much bad that they are not even in the top 4 in the chart of points tables.
The incumbent champions, Chennai Super Kings, have failed to win their last three games and are currently ranked 9th in the Indian Premier League 2022 points standings.
The squad is facing its worst time because their worst start in an IPL season is having lost their first three games in a row for the first time in franchise history. After failing to protect the total in games against Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants, the team is now preparing to defend the total in the remaining games.
The 4-time winners had a huge captaincy change before the league, with Ravindra Jadeja taking over from MS Dhoni.
However, Jadeja has failed to hit the appropriate annotations as captain, and this has been one of the most hotly debated topics, with various former cricketers expressing their views on how the all-rounder is selected as a leader of the second most successful IPL franchise, but MS Dhoni appears to be leading the debate.
The most talked-about aspect of Ravindra Jadeja’s leadership is that previous skipper MS Dhoni still leads the squad, whether it’s discussing strategy with the bowlers or preparing the field. Former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that Jadeja, as a captain, must step forward now more than ever.
Bhajji said on the BYJU’s Cricket Live broadcast on Star Sports,
“I feel that MS Dhoni is still captain of the team. When I look at Jadeja, he is fielding outside the ring. By doing that you won’t be able to control too many things but he has given a headache to MS Dhoni to look after the field setting and everything,”
He also added,
“He is shedding some of his own weight and putting it on Dhoni’s shoulders that ‘look after the field setting.”
Despite the team’s slow start, the former cricketer has urged supporters to be patient and believe in Ravindra Jadeja’s ability to succeed as captain.
Furthermore, the former off-spinner emphasised his belief that investing in Jadeja is the right decision, adding that Jadeja’s leadership would only improve and expand under MS Dhoni’s direction. He pointed out,
“But I think that overall Jadeja is a very confident guy when it comes to batting and bowling and his skillsets are unbelievable. To get the best out of the team when it is not performing is rare, and he needs to stand up and talk about a few things.”
He also added,
“Their bowling looks really very down at this stage and the batting too needs to lift a bit. Jadeja himself as a captain has to prove a point but he can be someone you can invest in. Give him some more time and hopefully, he will improve and learn. Having MS Dhoni will help him this season.”
What do you think about this? Will Jadeja ever come outside from the shadow of MS dhoni?