IPL 2021 – Ravindra Jadeja CSK: MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are looking for a change in fortunes in IPL 2021 after a disappointing show in IPL 13. But they are worried about one of their most key player’s fitness status i.e Ravindra Jadeja. The Indian all-rounder is yet to join the CSK camp. When InsideSport.co asked CSK team’s CEO about Jadeja’s fitness status – he sounded clueless.
Also Read: IPL 2021: CSK to shift training camp to Mumbai, Suresh Raina to join MS Dhoni & Co on Mar 26
“We really don’t know when Jadeja is joining us. He has to get released by the National Cricket Academy (NCA),” Viswanath told InsideSport.co
The India all-rounder is racing against time to be fit for the tournament that begins on April 9. Currently, recovering from thumb surgery, Jadeja is yet to join the CSK preparatory camp.
CSK management is unaware on When is Jadeja joining the camp? What is his fitness status? Whether he has fully recovered from his thumb surgery or not?
Barring Jadeja and a few players, who are with their national teams, CSK will shift to Mumbai’s Trident hotel on March 26 to enter the bio-secure bubble ahead of IPL 2021. However, some players like Cheteshwar Pujara have already reached Mumbai and have begun quarantining. Head coach Stephen Fleming has also joined them in Mumbai.
“Stephen and Pujara have reached Mumbai along with some other players. We will begin our camp there on March 27-28,” Viswanath said.
CSK were the first team to begin preparations for the upcoming season. The Chennai-based franchise began their camp at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on March 9 with captain MS Dhoni, Ambati Rayudu and India’s domestic players such as N Jagadeeshan and Ruturaj Gaikwad joining the team. However, their star batsman, Suresh Raina, who pulled out of the last IPL, owing to personal reasons is yet to join the team.
Viswanath conformed to InsideSport on Tuesday that Raina would be joining the team directly in Mumbai.
If players have to play for their respective teams in the opening match, April 2 is the last day to enter the bio-bubble for IPL 2021.
Also Read: Ind vs Eng: ‘Back on the field’: Ravindra Jadeja begins training post-surgery | WATCH
Why Jadeja is important for Chennai Super Kings?
This time with ongoing international matches around the globe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been difficult to organise a camp for the entire team, situation about Ravindra Jadeja has put the franchise in a precarious situation.
Ravindra Jadeja is one of the most important players for CSK. He can not only change a match with his bowling but he is a proven match-winner with the bat too. The all-rounder hasn’t featured in any competitive cricket since India’s 3rd Test against Australia in Sydney (January 7-11). He travelled back home for a thumb injury and underwent surgery. He began rehabilitation and missed out on India’s series against England.
While he has begun light training, he is yet to get a clearance from the NCA and the lack of update from BCCI has put CSK in a difficult situation. With just less than two weeks to go for CSK’s opening match on April 10 against Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium, Jadeja’s absence is worrying.
Last season, Jadeja, although wasn’t as successful with the ball but he shined with the bat, scoring 232 runs in 11 innings at an average of 46.40 and a strike rate of 171.85. His presence provides CSK with batting depth. Apart from his batting and bowling skills, Jadeja is one of the best fielders in the world. He saves a lot of runs on the field and that gives his side an edge. Without him, CSK will have to plan accordingly and an early update on his status would help them in this regard.
