Reports: CSK set to release Kedar Jadhav for IPL 2021

The 2020 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was a tough one for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The three-time champions failed to make it to the playoffs for the first time in 11 years of their existence. The franchise is set to invest in the young talent for the upcoming season as it is thinking to release some of the players including Kedar Jadhav.

CSK had secured his services for a whopping price of Rs 7.8 crore during the IPL 2018 auction. He stayed with the CSK for three years and many questioned his place in the team during the team’s poor run in the 2020 edition of the T20 extravaganza. Jadhav didn’t perform to the expectations in any of the matches as well and was finally left out after the MS Dhoni-led side couldn’t return to the winning ways consistently in the first half of the tournament.

A source close to the CSK management told InsideSport that the franchise is keen on moving on from the 35-year-old and are looking to invest in youngsters. “Jadhav was not in best of form in IPL 2020. He was also struggling with his fitness. CSK will move on from Jadhav in IPL 2021, everyone in the team management feels that it will be prudent to take this hard call and invest in future,” the source said.

The decision is somewhat justified as Kedar Jadhav scored only 62 runs in eight matches in IPL 2020 at a strike-rate of 93.33. Jadhav is not getting younger either and his fitness will also be a major issue for the team.

BCCI reportedly told teams to release players by January 20

Meanwhile, it has also been reported that the IPL Governing Council held a virtual meeting earlier this week after which the BCCI opened the trading window while also directing teams to provide the released players list by January 20. The mini auction for IPL 2021 is most likely to take place on February 11 where certain teams including CSK are expected to rejig their line-up.