Rajasthan Royals' Jadeja Breaks Silence on Leaving CSK After 13 Years

Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja opened up about his emotional departure from Chennai Super Kings (CSK), admitting that leaving the franchise after more than a decade was difficult but also marked the start of a new chapter in his IPL journey.

Speaking on JioHotstar's 'Google Search AI Mode Match Centre Live', Jadeja reflected on the emotional nature of his exit while embracing the opportunity to return to Rajasthan Royals - the franchise where he began his IPL journey.

"I'm liking the pink colour. The yellow had started to feel a bit old, but I'm just joking. Obviously, leaving a franchise like CSK, where I had played for 12-13 years, was a little difficult initially. It was very emotional. But I told myself that changes like these are also part of the journey.

"The good thing was that I'm now with the team where I had first won an IPL title. That memory has always stayed with me, that after the Under-19 World Cup, I started my IPL career there and won the title in my very first season. I have carried those memories along with a positive mindset, and my aim is to learn as much as I can with the new group and also share my experience with the team."

Jadeja makes emotional revelation about Rajasthan Royals

Jadeja's return to Rajasthan Royals adds a layer of nostalgia to his IPL story. He began his IPL career with the franchise in 2008 and played a crucial role in their historic maiden title win that season.

Beyond emotions, Jadeja also delivered with the ball during RR's dominant win against CSK in Guwahati. His dismissal of Shivam Dube proved to be a key turning point in the match, helping Rajasthan tighten their grip on the contest.

Speaking about the tactical adjustment that led to Dube's wicket, Jadeja explained:

"The wicket was a bit sticky, so it suited my kind of bowling. My job was simply to bowl in the right areas. When you hit the right areas on a wicket that is holding up slightly, the ball tends to grip and come slower, which feels good as a bowler. Getting such a surface to bowl on in the very first match boosts your confidence as a bowler.I was thinking of bowling it at the stumps, as I wanted to take a chance in case he didn't middle it.

"But when he hit me for a six, I quickly changed my strategy to bowling wide, as he would have kept hitting me on a straight line. So, I decided to finish on the fifth-sixth-stump line, thinking that if he went across, he might not get his timing right, and that's what happened. Luckily, he did not get the elevation he was looking for, and it was a big wicket for us."

Jadeja also revealed that his celebratory gesture after dismissing Dube was a continuation of his trademark style rather than a reaction tied to his former franchise.

"When I played for CSK, I used to celebrate similarly, so, it was my 'to be continued' moment. A batter like Dube doesn't give you any room for error and tries to hit big shots from the first ball. That was in my mind, but my main aim was to get him out because his wicket at that time would have probably ended their hopes, given that only bowlers were to follow next and there was no other hard-hitter in the line-up."

With Rajasthan Royals making a strong start to IPL 2026, Jadeja's experience and familiarity with high-pressure situations could prove vital as the season progresses.