IPL 2023: Long and frank chat with MS Dhoni before Ravindra Jadeja re-integrated in CSK squad

Ravindra Jadeja is back in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squad and the official Twitter handle of the 4-time champions have shown the excitement of having the gun all-rounder rekindled and reunited with the 'Yellow Army' in the Tamil Nadu capital of Chennai.

The 34-year-old stayed back in Chennai after the conclusion of India-Australia series with the third ODI. "RaJa in the house!" CSK captioned a video showing Jadeja entering the team hotel room. The next few posts from the franchise showed him practicing and sharing laughs with CSK captain MS Dhoni.

However, was there no difference between Jadeja and CSK and were all the reports regarding a rift between the two parties just rumour? No. A report by Cricbuzz has revealed how the Chennai-based franchise re-integrated the Saurashtra star back into the squad.

'Free, frank and long' one-on-one meeting with Dhoni and CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan was held before the 'air of misunderstanding' was cleared. As reported by Cricbuzz, it is understood that Jadeja opened up on what irked him and what he expected going forward.

Jadeja was appointed the CSK captain just two days ahead of the IPL 2022. However, removed from the post after a series of defeats which saw MS Dhoni take the job back midway through the tournament. Jadeja played a few matches under the 41-year-old before leaving the CSK camp.

A rib injury came up as the reason for Jadeja leaving the camp but not agreed and believed. CSK unfollowing Jadeja and the southpaw deleting all the posts related to the franchise also added fuel to the rumours. There were speculations that Jadeja would no longer play for CSK.

However, as things turned out later, Jadeja was one of the first players to be retained by CSK ahead of the IPL 2023 auction. No details on the two one-on-one sessions have come out in public but it is believed that Jadeja was unhappy about the captaincy being taken away from him.

Dhoni's comment after taking over the reigns might also have not gone well with Jadeja. "I think Jadeja knew last season he'd be captaining this year. For the first two games, I oversaw his work and let him be later," Dhoni had said.

"After that, I insisted he'd take his own decisions and responsibility for them. Once you become captain, it means a lot of demands come in. But it affected his mind as the tasks grew. I think captaincy burdened his prep and performances," he had added.

Eventually, it was explained to Jadeja that the captaincy may have put an extra burden on him and affected his performance. The Gujarat-born star, it is learnt, understood the situation.

"Jaddu is fine, he is happy to be back with the team and is very keen to do well. He is looking forward to the season," a CSK official told Cricbuzz on Saturday (March 25). CSK will start their campaign against defending champions Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on March 31.