CSK and Ravindra Jadeja not on same page? Questions after Instagram split

Chennai Super Kings have allegedly unfollowed all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on their Instagram handle, further escalating rift rumours. This comes a day after the franchise announced that he has been ruled out of the ongoing edition of the IPL due to a bruised rib.

Here’s a look at the timeline of events that led to the speculations of the rift – 

1. Ravindra Jadeja steps down as CSK skipper – 

Ahead of the start of IPL 2022, Mahendra Singh Dhoni stepped down as CSK skipper and handed over the reins to Jadeja. 

The 33-year-old, however, “relinquished” CSK captaincy and handed it back to Dhoni mid-season after the team lost six out of its first 8 matches.

“Ravindra Jadeja has decided to relinquish captaincy to focus and concentrate more on his game & has requested MS Dhoni to lead CSK. MS Dhoni has accepted to lead CSK in the larger interest & to allow Jadeja to focus on his game,” CSK had said in a statement at the time.

Following this, multiple sources told multiple publications that Jadeja was unhappy with the manner in which he was removed from the captaincy. However, neither the player nor the franchise spoke about it. 

2. Ravindra Jadeja rules out of IPL 2022- 

On Wednesday, CSK announced that Jadeja has been ruled out of the remainder of the IPL due to a rib injury.

“Ravindra Jadeja won’t be playing CSK’s next two games as he has suffered a rib cage injury. He has already gone home,” CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan told PTI.

3. Did Jadeja unfollow CSK first?

Sources told PTI on Wednesday that the star all-rounder had unfollowed the franchise on Instagram.

“It seems there is more to it. Jadeja has also unfollowed CSK on Instagram,” an IPL source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

4. Kasi Viswanathan’s statement on the issue –

“Social media, I absolutely do not follow anything. I have no knowledge of what is going on there. What I can tell you is that from the management side, there has been no problem and whatever is there on social media, I’m not aware. Jadeja firmly remains in the CSK’s scheme of things for the future, always,” Viswanathan told Indian Express.

“Jaddu had an injury during the game against RCB and after that he didn’t play the game against Delhi Capitals. On medical advice, it has been decided that he cannot participate further in this IPL and he is heading back home. He has been released.”

5. What fans think – 

Several fans took to social media to share their views. 

“CSK Unfollowed Jadeja in Instagram? there is something wrong between jadeja and CSK managment,” one person commented.

“Just like what Srh management has done with davey, Csk has also sacked jadeja from the team. First removed them from captaincy, then removed from playing XI, then removed from the team,” wrote another user.