‘Quitting CSK captaincy is a brave move from Jadeja’ - Graeme Swann

In a dramatic turnaround, Ravindra Jadeja quit the CSK captaincy and handed it back to MS Dhoni on Saturday. 

To note, Jadeja’s form with both bat and ball has been one of the major concerns for CSK this season. Statistically, the experienced all-rounder scored just 112 runs at an average of 22.40 and a mediocre strike rate of 121.74. Moreover, his bowling form has also dipped as he has just five wickets to his name with a significantly higher economy of 8.19 this season so far. 

The captaincy taking a toll on his performance was quite evident. Also, as per CSK’s official statement, the Saurashtra all-rounder took this decision in order to focus on his game in a better manner, and Dhoni accepted the role for the greater interest of the team. 

“Ravindra Jadeja has decided to relinquish captaincy to focus and concentrate more on his game and has requested MS Dhoni to lead CSK. MS Dhoni has accepted to lead CSK in the larger interest and to allow Jadeja to focus on his game”, CSK’s official statement read. 

The former English cricketer Graeme Swann has applauded Jadeja’s call to step down from the role of CSK’s captain, considering both his and the team’s interests. Addressing star sports, Swann termed it as a ‘brilliant move’ and opined that it takes guts for someone as established as Jadeja to overcome the ‘male ego’ and quit the skipper’s role midway by accepting that he’s not enjoying it. 

“What I want to say to Jadeja is that takes a brave bloke to do that because the male ego doesn’t want to say ‘you know I am not doing this job; I am not enjoying it’. He said the best for the team and the best for me, is not to be skipper. So well done, it’s a brilliant move”, Swann said. 

Further continuing, the former English spinner said that the four-time champion side like CSK can’t completely be written off despite their present poor form. He even argued that CSK have the ability to win all their remaining games and qualify for the playoffs.  

“They can do anything, they are a very strong outfit”, Swann said. “They could even win match after match and maybe even qualify”, the 43-year-old concluded.   

With just 2 wins from 8 matches, CSK currently occupies the ninth position in the points table. They will cross swords with SRH in their 9th game of this season tonight.