IPL 2022: Niall O'Brien encourages Ravindra Jadeja to take more responsibility as a skipper

The Indian Premier League reigning champions Chennai Super Kings have found themselves in uncharted territory, as the Men in Yellow have lost both their opening encounters. They were thoroughly outplayed by Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2022 opener but put on a much more impressive batting display against Lucknow Super Giants. However, their bowlers failed to do the job, as LSG successfully chased down a mammoth total of over 200 runs.

There has been a change at the helm, as far as the leadership is concerned, at Chennai Super Kings’. MS Dhoni stepped down as the captain, handing the reigns to their second-most experienced player, and world class all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja. So far, the 34-year-old has not been able to express himself freely, being unproductive with both bat and ball.

Former Irish cricketer, Niall O’Brien believes Ravindra Jadeja has a lot to learn, as far as captaincy is concerned. Moreover, he encourages the Indian all-rounder to shoulder more responsibility, such as promoting himself up the batting order, something which Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya has done so far.

“It’s difficult when you take over the captaincy from someone like MS Dhoni, who has been at the helm for such a long period of time. Even at games, you are looking around and seeing what Dhoni is doing. For me, (MS) Dhoni is still calling the strings in the field,” Niall O’Brien stated in Sky247.net presents ‘Not Just Cricket Show’ on CricTracker.

I want to see Ravindra Jadeja bowl all four overs: Niall O’Brien

Niall O’Brien touched upon another aspect of Ravindra Jadeja’s captaincy and believes that the Indian should bowl his full quota of four overs. Jadeja chipped in with just two overs in the previous game. Hence, the former Irish cricketer wants him to lead from the front. Hardik, who has been appointed as the skipper of Gujarat Titans, has been relishing his new role. The all-rounder has promoted himself up the batting order and has also opened the bowling with the new ball.

“I just want him (Ravindra Jadeja) to take more responsibility with bat and ball. A little bit like Hardik Pandya is doing for Gujarat Titans, who is promoting himself up the order and bowling his four overs. I want to see Jadeja bowl four overs if he can, since he is a quality bowler, and I want to see him bat for as long as he can,” the Irishman concluded.