Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has wished all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja the best for his new stint as the skipper of Chennai Super Kings, saying that he is more than capable of handling the responsibility in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. While speaking to Chennai Super Kings, Ravi Shastri said that the added responsibility of being the captain of an IPL franchise for the first time will do wonders to him as well.
However, Ravindra Jadeja was named as CSK captain, two days before the start of the new season after MS Dhoni decided to step down from the leadership role. Dhoni handed over the reins to Jadeja and CSK confirmed that their former captain will continue to play the franchise “in the ongoing season and beyond”.
“Jaddu, my friend, good luck. I am sure you are more than capable of handling the job as captain,” Shastri said. “I think he has got added responsibility and that will do him wonders. Get out there and enjoy yourself like you normally do and be a good captain. Good luck with the toss, start winning many.”
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Ravi Shastri further added. “He has been an outstanding cricketer for India. No. 1 in the world rankings when it comes to being an all-rounder. I have seen him evolve over the last 5 years and, in particular, the last 3 years. The way he is focussed on his batting. The time he has spent at the nets, the self-belief he has brought into the game. Apart from being an outstanding fielder and doing the job with the ball, I think he is a livewire in the team. He is very energetic, he is very positive and I am most happy to see he is back from a knee injury.”
While speaking about the lead up to the IPL 2022 opener between CSK and Kolkata Knight Riders, Shastri said that the 4-time champions have the edge having won the match with plenty of experience.
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“CSK have far more experience. They are far more battle-hardened. They have gone through the terrain and hard situations many, many times in the past, albeit this time they will have a new captain. It will be interesting to see how that goes. MS will still be there behind the stumps. So that’s a massive help. So and all, we can say it’s a solid side that will look to get off the mark quickly,” Ravi Shastri concluded.
