Chennai Super Kings emerged victorious in a thrilling final-ball encounter against the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023 summit clash, securing their fifth title. Due to rain interruptions, CSK had a revised target of 172 runs to chase within 15 overs. With 10 runs needed off the last two deliveries, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja stepped up and guided CSK to a remarkable victory.
This season will be etched in the memories of CSK fans for years to come. However, amidst the celebrations, rumors circulated regarding a rift between Jadeja and CSK captain MS Dhoni, leaving some fans concerned about the team’s unity.
Speculations about a possible discord gained momentum after a viral video from the match between CSK and Delhi Capitals showed Dhoni and Jadeja engaged in a conversation following the all-rounder conceding 50 runs in his allotted four overs. Adding to the speculation, Jadeja posted a cryptic message on Twitter: “Karma will get back at you, sooner or later it surely will,” along with an image and the caption “Definitely,” accompanied by a thumbs-up emoji.
Furthermore, Jadeja appeared visibly disgruntled with the crowd during the match, as they seemingly wished for his dismissal to bring Dhoni to the crease. However, in a recent interview with ESPNCricinfo, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan dismissed all rumors of a rift and assured that there is no animosity between the two players.
“As far as Jadeja is concerned, he bowled exceptionally well. While batting, our lineup with Ruturaj, Conway, Moeen, and Rahane was delivering results. Whenever Jadeja went in to bat, he often had only 5-10 balls remaining. Sometimes it clicks, and sometimes it doesn’t in such situations. However, he knew that Dhoni would be next in line, and he himself would receive only 2-3 balls at times. When he went in to bat, the crowd would welcome Dhoni, which may have hurt him. Any player could feel that pressure. Despite this, he didn’t complain, although he expressed his feelings through a tweet,” Viswanathan explained to ESPNCricinfo.
“These incidents are part and parcel of the game. After the last game, people saw videos online and assumed I was pacifying Jadeja, but that wasn’t the case. We discussed the match and his performance. We didn’t have any other discussion. In a team environment, what happens in the dressing room remains within the team. We have no issues. Jadeja has always held MS in high regard. After the final, he even said, ‘I dedicate this knock to Dhoni.’ That’s the level of respect he has for MS,” he added.
Speaking about Dhoni, the former India captain who recently underwent knee surgery in Mumbai is currently recuperating in his hometown of Ranchi. Viswanathan confirmed that Dhoni won’t be participating in any matches before January-February.
“I visited him in Mumbai after Ruturaj’s wedding on June 4. It was just a courtesy call. He’s quite comfortable and mentioned that he will rest for three weeks before starting his rehabilitation. As he said, he won’t be playing until January-February. We don’t need to remind him of that,” Viswanathan stated.
