'I feel that MS Dhoni is still captain of the team': Harbhajan Singh wants Ravindra Jadeja to 'look after field setting'

Ravindra Jadeja has been going through a tough phase in his debut Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season with three defeats in a row. As Chennai Super Kings (CSK) go through their worst start to the IPL season, former CSK spinner Harbhajan Singh feels that MS Dhoni is still turning the show instead of Jadeja.

“I feel that MS Dhoni is still captain of the team. When I look at Jadeja, he is fielding outside the ring. By doing that you won’t be able to control too many things but he has given headache to MS Dhoni to look after the field setting and everything,” Harbhajan said on Star Sports.

Harbhajan also believes that Jadeja is asking Dhoni to take care of the fielding setting to split the weight of captaincy.  

“He is shedding some of his own weight and putting it on Dhoni’s shoulders that ‘look after the field setting’,” he added.

However, despite the criticism, the 41-year-old has faith in Jadeja’s leadership abilities.

“But I think that overall Jadeja is a very confident guy when it comes to batting and bowling and his skillsets are unbelievable. To get the best out of the team when it is not performing is rare, and he needs to stand up and talk about a few things,” asserted the former cricketer.

The star Indian all-rounder was handed the captaincy of the defending champions just a few days before the start of 10-team tournament. Currently, the four-time IPL-winners are placed ninth on the points table, just above Kane Williamson-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). CSK will take on SRH in their next clash on April 9.

Few moves made by Jadeja in the three matches have drawn criticism. His decision to give Shivam Dube the penultimate over of the innings backfired. The inexperienced all-rounder leaked 25 runs in the over which helped Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) chase down a massive target of 211 with three balls to spare.

Many felt that Jadeja should have bowled the 19th over despite left-handed batter Evin Lewis going all guns blazing. After becoming the skipper, Jadeja has scored 43 runs from three innings and picked up just one wicket.