The Indian cricket fans are still not over the iconic scenes of MS Dhoni holding Ravindra Jadeja in his arms after the latter won Chennai Super Kings (CSK) the fifth Indian Premier League (IPL) title in the recently-concluded glitzy league. The emotional celebration between the two pillars of CSK, Jadeja and Dhoni, silences all critics who were alleging rift between the duo.
Throughout the IPL 2023, the rumours of rift between Jadeja and Dhoni kept on peddling as it all fired up after the CSK's star all-rounder posted a couple of cryptic posts on Twitter. Jadeja's tweet came after he in reference to fans chanting 'We want Dhoni' told the broadcasters that crowd wait for me to get out early. Later in the tournament Dhoni was also seen spotted having an animated chat with Jadeja after the match against Delhi Capitals which only fanned the fire.
It all started in IPL 2022, Ravindra Jadeja was appointed CSK skipper. CSK however went through a torrid season which saw Jadeja resigning from the post and handing over the captaincy post to Dhoni yet again. Jadeja had even unfollowed CSK on Twitter which left everyone in tizzy as to what is happening between the CSK veterans. However, things got sorted and normalcy returned to CSK camp and the duo was back to grab their hands on the coveted trophy in IPL 2023, which they did.
Vishwanathan quashes Dhoni vs Jadeja rift
After all this, CSK CEO Kasi Vishwanathan has settled the Jadeja versus Dhoni debate once and for all in this latest statement.
"As far as Jadeja is concerned, he bowled superbly. While batting, our line-up of Ruturaj, Conway, Moeen, Rahane, with the results, whenever he [Jadeja] went in to bat, he had 5-10 balls left. In such situations, it can or can't click sometimes. But the thing is he also knew Dhoni was to come in next, and he himself would get just 2-3 balls sometimes. In such situations whenever he went in, the crowd used to welcome Dhoni. In a way, he may have felt hurt. Any player for that matter may have had that pressure. But he didn't complain about it even though he put out a tweet," Vishwanathan told ESPNCricinfo.
"It's all part and parcel of the game. After the last game, people saw videos online and assumed I'm pacifying Jadeja, but it wasn't like that. I was talking to him about the match, what he did. We didn't have any other discussion. Everyone knows in a team environment, what happens in the dressing room, no one is privy to it outside. We don't have any problem. He always had high respect for Dhoni. After the final also, he said, 'I dedicate this knock to Dhoni.' That is the kind of respect he has for MS," Viswanathan added.
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