The excitement surrounding Ravindra Jadeja is intensifying as the IPL 2026 retention deadline draws near. The India all-rounder, who has been associated with the Chennai Super Kings for what seems like an eternity, is about to undergo a significant change as he is scheduled to make a high-profile deal to the Rajasthan Royals. With the exception of the two years the team was suspended, Jadeja has been with CSK since 2012, therefore his departure will signal the end of an era.
But there has been some turbulence during the last few seasons. In anticipation of MS Dhoni's appearance at the crease, sections of the Chennai crowd have cheered Jadeja's dismissal. In between he was also given the captaincy and subsequently stripped off it. Given everything that has transpired, it seems Jadeja is prepared to close a legendary chapter, which former India head coach Ravi Shastri virtually confirmed.
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Harsha Bhogle posed a pertinent query during Jadeja's opening over in the India-South Africa Test at Eden Gardens: has Jadeja been able to maintain his focus on his cricket with everything going on off the field? A player of Jadeja's level always knows how to prioritise what counts, Shastri said, quickly dispelling any worries.
"The talk is more for people on the outside. They are more interested in where he's going and how much he is making. I think he knew where he was going from the beginning. He was very clear, and his focus was cricket. Let the noise happen on the outside. Noise always happens in India. You know what you want, you know what's coming in your back pocket. I'll give you that, I mean, now. He is far too experienced. He's a gun cricketer, this fellow. I know, just the way he played in England. Over 500 runs in the series," Shastri said on commentary.
Sanju Samson will move to Chennai as a result of Jadeja's transfer to the Rajasthan Royals, and CSK have almost confirmed their interest by sending the wicketkeeper-batter a heartfelt birthday greeting.
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