IPL 2022: New CSK skipper Ravindra Jadeja reveals why MS Dhoni is still setting the field this season

Ravindra Jadeja was announced as the captain of Chennai Super Kings ahead of the IPL 2022 season after MS Dhoni decided to step down from his role, one that he had executed since the inaugural IPL season in 2008.

By Cricxtasy Media Apr 6, 2022, 21:59 IST

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Ravindra Jadeja spoke about the curious sight of MS Dhoni continuing to set the field for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2022 despite him taking over the captaincy for the franchise from the legendary wicketkeeper-batter.

Despite the great figure relinquishing CSK captaincy ahead of the tournament and handing over the reigns to Jadeja, he has been seen moving the fielders around and talking in hurdles for the team's first two matches.

The sight of MS Dhoni setting the fields has also led to speculations whether Jadeja is only a paper captain for his side. But the premier allrounder brushed aside those concerns, stating exactly why he was seen positioned in the deep in CSK's last match versus Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), while his predecessor went about setting the field.

Ravindra Jadeja opens up on MS Dhoni's on-field role for CSK

Speaking to the press after the loss against LSG at the Brabourne Stadium on Thursday (March 31), Jadeja disclosed why MS Dhoni was seen setting the field during the opposition run-chase while he himself stood in the outfield, quite far away from the playing arena.

Jadeja explained the rationale was that CSK needed their best fielders to be positioned near the ropes while LSG batters went on the rampage. Him certainly being one of them made sure he remained stood outside the 30-yard circle and left it on the experienced head of Dhoni to give instructions to the fielders.

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“The last match (against LSG) was a high-scoring game so there are chances of catches at deep mid-wicket and our thinking was that it would be better a good fielder had to be there. So, I was not able to communicate with the bowlers much," he said.

"But Mahi Bhai gives inputs, that is good, he is so experienced so we don’t have to look anywhere else for advice. He’s a legend and has been captaining for so many years, that experience is there in our dressing room only so we are lucky to have his advice," he added.

MS Dhoni setting the fields for CSK had raised debates outside whether CSK still remains his team, and not so much Jadeja, who is captaining in IPL for the very first time. The allrounder is only the second veteran player after former vice-captain Suresh Raina to have led CSK other than Dhoni.