Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja last played a limited-overs international match way back in July 2017 against the Windies.
Since then, the young duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal took over the reigns of spin bowling department.
However, Jadeja returned to domestic cricket but failed to make an impact. He would have like to put a strong performance in the IPL and present his case but, so far, he has bowled only three overs.
CSK retained his services before the auctions for Rs 7.5 crore. However, he is yet to find that rhythm, picking up only one wicket at an economy of 9.33.
While MS Dhoni has employed the likes of offie Harbhajan Singh and leggie, Imran Tahir in various match situations, his reluctance to use Jadeja, one of his most trusted soldiers has sparked off the debate whether the latter’s style of bowling is becoming too predictable.
Jadeja should be fearless in his approach
Former India spinner, Maninder Singh feels Jadeja should be fearless in his approach. He also added he needs to bowl more if he harbours a dream of a national come back.
“It is a mystery as to why Jadeja is not bowling. I feel he must be carrying some injuries. If not he should be bowling fearlessly. Anyway, CSK have been giving away too many runs. So I don’t understand why Dhoni is not using him. The bottom-line is he needs to bowl if he harbours any hopes of making a national return,” Maninder told TOI.
While Jadeja’s bowling has failed to yield the desired results, his bat has done the job. Coming in to bat ahead of the in-form Dwayne Bravo, he has so far compiled only 42 runs. But Dhoni is willing to give him a longer rope, especially after Kedar Jadhav got ruled out of the IPL.
“We have confidence in Jadeja. This is also the right time to give him that opportunity. If he cannot do (it), Bravo can always step up. But if Jadeja can come good, it will be really good. (Suresh) Raina is another left-hander at the top, and if we can have Jadeja who can do the job as a floater, the opposition will find it difficult to plan their bowling. So far we have never really given Jadeja the kind of opportunity he deserves. So I will definitely back him to come good in the future games,” Dhoni had said after their match against KXIP.
However, Hrishikesh Kanitkar feels Dhoni has different plans for the all-rounder. He believes CSK skipper is looking to him as a potential finisher in the absence of Kedar Jadhav.
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