IPL 2021: Current best playing XI of the tournament

8. Ravindra Jadeja

Popularly known as Sir Ravindra Jadeja, this was a nickname given by Shane Warne as a joke but the young lad from Saurashtra took all the jokes and criticisms and turned the tables around soon. He was the most expensive player in the 2012 IPL auctions, at a whopping $2 million (approx. Rs 9.72 crore then). It was quite an expensive buy and a surprise to many but CSK’s management believed that Jadeja had the ability to strengthen the squad in all facets of the game. 

He has repaid the faith shown by MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings by becoming their main Indian all-rounder to date. He has played 191 matches and taken 120 wickets at a bowling economy of 7.63 runs per over. He also has been more than handy with the bat, scoring 2290 runs at an average of 26.63 and a strike rate just above 128. 

With the decline of MS Dhoni’s finishing prowess, Jadeja has taken the responsibility of becoming the primary finisher of the team. He runs exceptionally well between the wickets and is regarded as the best fielder in the world by none other than Jonty Rhodes. He is the only all-rounder who has consistently been representing India in all formats of the game. He will be eager to win this year’s IPL which may be the last for Thala Dhoni.