IPL 2022: Ravindra Jadeja Needs To Enjoy Leadership Role Under Pressure; Needs To Give Bowlers Encouragement - Brad Hogg

Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg suggested Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Ravindra Jadeja encourage his team bowlers during the matches in IPL 2022. CSK registered its first win in IPL 2022 since Jadeja took over the captaincy reins from MS Dhoni as they beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 23 runs on Tuesday in Navi Mumbai.

Jadeja claimed the figures of 3/39 to become the most successful bowler against RCB in the IPL with 26 wickets in 29 matches. Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who played in his second IPL game, returned with four for 33 in four overs.

Ravindra Jadeja needs to give bowlers encouragement: Brad Hogg

Hogg said Jadeja should encourage his bowlers with the liberty to bowl their best delivery and build team confidence under his leadership.

“When he is out on the field, it’s a different situation. He has got to encourage his bowlers to get the best out of them. All the bowlers are there with their plans, and Jadeja just needs to give them encouragement and back the delivery they want to bowl,” Hogg said on his YouTube channel.

“He doesn’t have to tell them what to do at any stage. It’s just about that encouragement. He needs to enjoy the leadership role under pressure to build team confidence,” he added. 

Ricky Ponting didn’t allow himself to feel the pressure: Brad Hogg

Hogg, who played for Australia in seven Tests, 124 ODIs and 15 T20 Internationals from 1996 to 2014, cited the leadership of Australian great Ricky Ponting and his deputy Adam Gilchrist.

“I played a lot with Ricky Ponting who never felt as though he was captaining when he was batting. He didn’t allow himself to feel the pressure as well. He just wanted to focus on his batting. Jadeja should do the same,” he said.

“We had the coaches on the sidelines and a good vice-captain in Adam Gilchrist, especially in the shorter format. If we needed to send in a pinch-hitter, we would send a pinch-hitter because Ricky Ponting would trust the leadership group to make that decision. It’s about understanding the leadership group and working with the leadership group to take pressure off yourself as the leader while you’re batting,” he added. 

CSK will meet Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans in their next outing of IPL 2022 on April 17 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

Also Read: CSK vs RCB: First Win As Captain, I Would Like To Dedicate It To My Wife – Ravindra Jadeja