When I bat at 7 the crowd chants for Mahi bhai, if I bat higher they will just wait for me to get out: Ravindra Jadeja

The Indian Premier League 2023 has been witnessing unique scenes at all the venues, as whenever the Chennai Super Kings play a game as visitors, the stadium turns into a sea of fans in yellow. Be it Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, or any other ground, the fans have gathered in large numbers and supported CSK massively this year.

One thing that has been noted by not just the viewers, but also the players, is that the CSK fans go berserk when Ravindra Jadeja is dismissed. Since the skipper MS Dhoni bats down the order, the fans cheer even when a batter of the team they support is dismissed. The sole reason being they will get to witness Dhoni’s game with the bat.

CSK’s most recent game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai witnessed a similar scene as the crowd cheered at the top of their voices when Ambati Rayudu was dismissed because they knew that the fan-favorite ‘Thala’, as Dhoni is fondly known, will walk in next.

One player who has received the largest roar from the crowd upon being dismissed, throughout the tournament so far, is Ravindra Jadeja. The all-rounder, while receiving the Player of the Match award, on Wednesday, May 10, spoke about the same and revealed that the crowd is disappointed when he bats ahead of Dhoni and that they’re overjoyed when he is dismissed.

“As a spinner, it feels great if the ball is stopping and turning. Because we practice here, we know what length and what pace to bowl. That is our home advantage. When I bat at 7, the crowd is disappointed and chants for Mahi bhai. Imagine if I bat higher; they will just wait for me to get out,” Jadeja said in the post-match presentation ceremony while speaking with Murali Karthik.

Speaking of CSK’s most recent game against the Delhi Capitals, the hosts clinched a 27-run win, courtesy of batting brilliance by Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni, followed by Deepak Chahar’s powerplay madness, a bowling masterclass from Matheesha Pathirana in the middle, and Ravindra Jadeja’s brilliant spell of 1/19 in four overs.