Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are all set to begin their journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 with the opening fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 26 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Legendary MS Dhoni will be once again leading the Super Kings in the fifteenth season of the cash-rich league. However, it is expected that this will be Dhoni’s last season both as a player and as a leader. Notably, the Ranchi-based cricketer also took a massive salary cut (from INR 15 crore to INR 12 crore) in the mega-auctions held earlier this year.
But who could be the ideal candidate to replace Dhoni if the veteran stumper decides not to play the lucrative tournament from IPL 2023? Well, former India cricketer Nikhil Chopra has opined on the MSD’s successor and suggested all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja‘s name.
The Super Kings also gave some hints about the same after they retained Jadeja for a whopping INR 16 crore. Chopra mentioned the way Jadeja has been playing across formats, he can be a perfect option to replace Dhoni as CSK’s next captain.
“Jadeja can definitely be an option as CSK’s next skipper. The way he is performing and the way his form has been across formats and the role that he has been given in T20s to bowl four overs and bat down the order, his career has progressed really well,” said Chopra while speaking on YouTube podcast ‘Khelneeti’.
Chopra reckoned that the Super Kings have also decided to give Jaddu the big responsibility by retaining him for such a heavy amount in the two-day bidding event.
“That is perhaps the reason why they paid a huge sum for him, and if Dhoni doesn’t play next year, Jadeja could be the next captain,” he added.
Jadeja shined with both bat and ball in the previous season for the Yellow Army. The left-handed batter scored 227 runs from 16 matches at a phenomenal average of 75.66 and an outstanding strike rate of 145.51, including a half-century. Jadeja also picked up 13 wickets at an average of 26.61 and an economy rate of 7.06.
