I feel MS Dhoni is still CSK captain, Ravindra Jadeja needs to stand up: Harbhajan Singh

It hasn’t been a great start to Ravindra Jadeja’s stint as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain as the side suffered defeats in their first three games in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. The all-rounder took over the reins from MS Dhoni on the eve of the competition and many eyes were on him. Notably, Jadeja is fairly new to the leadership role and his captaincy is already beginning to attract detractors.

His role as the designated captain has also come under the scanner as MS Dhoni, on various occasions, was seen adjusting the field and seemingly making the bowling changes as well. While experts like Ajay Jadeja reckon Dhoni shouldn’t ‘white ant’ the all-rounder, former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh feels Jadeja needs to take more responsibilities as captain.

Ravindra Jadeja has given headache to MS Dhoni to look after the field setting: Harbhajan Singh

“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.

“He is shedding some of his own weight and putting it on Dhoni’s shoulders that ‘look after the field setting’,” he added. Having said that, Harbhajan reckons investing in Jadeja with Dhoni serving behind the stumps is a good move by CSK, considering the future. The 41-year-old also believes that Jadeja will evolve as a skipper with time.

“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. Meanwhile, this is the first instance of CSK losing their first three games of the season. Hence, the side must bounce back sooner than later.