CSK vs GT: 'Didn't Seem Like A Big Injury' – Sanjay Manjrekar Feels Something Is Happening Between Ravindra Jadeja, CSK

Cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar suspected a conflictual environment in the Chennai Super Kings camp after all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was ruled out of the tournament.

CSK are already out of the contention for IPL 2022 playoffs race after they lost to Mumbai Indians by five wickets on Thursday (May 12) at the Wankhede stadium.

Ravindra Jadeja and CSK conundrum

Just two days ahead of the IPL 2022, Jadeja was named the new captain of the four-time IPL champions, taking over the captaincy reins from MS Dhoni.

However, in hindsight, the move didn’t work either for the franchise or the player. CSK won just two of the eight matches in IPL 2022 and Jadeja’s individual performance also dried up.

Jadeja scored 116 runs in 10 innings at 19.33 and returned five wickets with the ball at an economy rate of 7.52. The queer thing was Jadeja dropped a few catches in the tournament as well.

The CSK all-rounder was ruled out of the ongoing IPL 2022 after suffering a rib injury during their match against Delhi Capitals on May 8. Just a day ahead of the MI clash, CSK confirmed that Jadeja won’t play further in the tournament due to his injury.

Dhoni was reinstated as CSK captain on April 3, a day before their clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

It didn’t seem like a big injury: Sanjay Manjrekar on Ravindra Jadeja

Manjrekar believes that things aren’t normal between CSK and Jadeja as he didn’t find the player’s injury very serious.

“When a team doesn’t qualify for the playoffs twice in three seasons, something is happening. There has been no official statement from the outside. Jadeja has become unavailable for the entire season.

“On the ground, it didn’t seem like a big injury. So you can say that something or the other is happening,” Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo.

“First half is where the team solidifies its position in the points table. They took a few blows there – Ruturaj Gaikwad wasn’t very consistent, they missed Deepak Chahar a lot, kept on searching for a seam bowler, and then they lost Dhoni’s leadership too.

“I don’t blame Jadeja for that because he was given that leadership. It might have been different had Dhoni-led continuously,” he added.

CSK will play against Gujarat Titans on Sunday (May 15) at the same venue.

Also Read: CSK vs GT: I’ve Been Feeling Terrible Since His Exit- Virender Sehwag On CSK’s Ravindra Jadeja