Chennai will play its first game against Kolkata on 26th March 2022.
The Chennai Super Kings experienced a change of guard just two days before the start of the IPL 2022, with MS Dhoni, passing over the captaincy reins to Ravindra Jadeja.
Some people were expecting it, but the majority were not. Many speculated that the decision would be made at the end of the season, especially given how successfully Dhoni managed the team last year, finally winning the IPL. This was, however, classic Dhoni, as he pulled off a lightning-quick stumping that only he can do.
Several legends, including Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, and Virat Kohli, have reacted to the shocking news.
And now Kevin Pietersen has joined the list, expressing his thoughts on Jadeja taking over as captain of the most consistent team in IPL history.
Also Read: IPL 2022: RR issues clarification over Sanju Samson’s tweet uproar, says it was a prank
"They've obviously decided that the time is right to move on from MS Dhoni, but it doesn't surprise me that they have turned to Ravi Jadeja – another cool head who will make good decisions. Jadeja is an outstanding thinker and a very experienced T20 player, so CSK has a good chance of surprising everybody again," Pietersen wrote for Betway.
"CSK proved everybody wrong last season, including myself. There is some young blood coming through there, but they seem to have realized that having cool, experienced heads making decisions is going to give them an edge over everybody else. There are so many small decisions to make during a T20 match and if you get more right than the opposition then you will generally win."
It remains to be seen how Jadeja will fit into the role of captain. The last time the India all-rounder captained any side in any format was in an Under-19 match in 2007, when he led Saurashtra to victory over Jharkhand. Jadeja has enormous shoes to fill, but given how successful his career has been, the same might be said for his captaincy. Dhoni, of course, is there to assist.