Raina ‘absolutely thrilled’ after Jadeja announced as new CSK captain

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has decided to step down as the captain of the Indian Premier League team Chennai Super Kings and pass on the baton to all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, the franchise announced in a statement on Thursday.

“MS Dhoni has decided to hand over the leadership of Chennai Super Kings and picked Ravindra Jadeja to lead the team. Jadeja, who has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings since 2012, will only be the third player to lead CSK,” said CSK in a statement on Thursday.

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“Dhoni will continue to represent Chennai Super Kings this season and beyond,” the franchise added.

After the announcement, former India cricketer Suresh Raina, who represented CSK for many years, wished Jadeja the best.

“Absolutely thrilled for my brother. I can’t think of anyone better to take over the reins of a franchise we both had grown up in. All the best @imjadeja . It’s an exciting phase and I’m sure you will live up to all the expectations and love,” Raina said in a social media post on Thursday. 

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The 40-year-old led side since the tournament’s inception in 2008 — barring the two seasons when the team was suspended in the wake of the spot-fixing scandal.

Raina, Dhoni and Jadeja were amongst the regular faces in the CSK lineup from 2012 to 2021. The team released the former ahead of the 2022 mega-auction. He was not picked by any other side and is in the commentary panel for the season. 

Also read: MS Dhoni always takes Chennai Super Kings’ best interest into account: CEO Kasi Viswanathan

“See, it is a decision which he has taken looking at the best interest of CSK. Whatever MS Dhoni does, he takes CSK’s best interests into account. We are happy with whatever decision he takes. He is handing the captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja, Dhoni will be playing with the team so the bonding will be there,” CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan was quoted as saying by NDTV.