CSK vs LSG: Ravindra Jadeja gets strike-rate ultimatum after CSK lose their 3rd games of the season

Former India batsman Aakash Chopra, who is on Hindi commentary with Jio Cinema in Indian Premier League 2024, slammed Ravindra Jadeja despite the CSK all-rounder's half-century last night.

The Chennai Super Kings were taking on the Lucknow Super Giants last night at the Ekana stadium, wherein, Jadeja's first fifty of the season went in vain as LSG picked up their 4th victory of the season by 8-wickets. With that, KL Rahul's side denied CSK the opportunity to go 1st or 2nd in the points table. 

The loss will definitely give Chennai a reality check and a golden opportunity to re-think their strategies as well as improve their execution in the middle. Right from the beginning of the match, LSG were all over Chennai as the visitors had got off to a crumbling start and at one point, scoring 160 was also looking very distant.

But thanks to Ajinkya Rahane's 36 off 24 from the opening slot, Ravindra Jadeja's half-century, Moeen Ali and MS Dhoni's death over blitz, CSK were able to post 177 as the target. 

Why did Aakash Chopra criticize Ravindra Jadeja?

Aakash Chopra had watched the entire match closely from the commentary box and after its conclusion, he posted an assessment video of the match on his official YouTube channel.

Therein, Chopra did appreciate Ravindra Jadeja for scoring a half-century in that tough situation but later criticized him for the way he operated in the death overs. The former KKR batsman was unable to understand the mindset and approach of the all-rounder towards the closing overs. 

Chopra feels that Ravindra Jadeja could have accelerated his innings at the ending phases of the 1st innings and failed to make the most out of his opportunity from the number 4 batting position.

Aakash Chopra futher claimed that Jadeja should have actually scored 70-80 runs instead of what he had put up - 57 off 40 balls. Overall, the 46-year-old tried to convey that Jadeja's half-century was very slow and it is a major reason why CSK could not post up to 180. 

 "Jaddu had to be sent up the order. Jaddu scored a fifty and stayed unbeaten till the end as well but he couldn't accelerate in the end the way you expect from him. If you have been sent at No. 4, got to bat almost in the powerplay and you stay till the end, you should score 70-80 runs in 40 balls. The thinking is like that but he didn't reach there." - Chopra said on his latest YT video.

CSK aiming to avenge their loss in the reverse fixture against LSG on April 23rd

Chennai's target of 177 did not prove to be a headache for LSG as they chased down the total easily, mainly through the efforts of openers KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock. The duo had put together a 134-run partnership before getting out while Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran were there in the crease to score the winning runs. 

On 23rd April, both teams will face each other once again in the reverse fixture at the MA Chidambaram stadium where Chennai will look to get their revenge.