CSK only won 4 matches out of 14 in IPL 2022 league stage and finished at 9th spot.
CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second time in the IPL. There were a lot of factors that went wrong for them in the tournament and it started just 2 days before the IPL 2022 began.
In a shocking turn of events, CSK announced that MS Dhoni had stepped down as captain of the team and Ravindra Jadeja will lead the franchise in IPL 2022. However, the Saurashtra all-rounder was inexperienced in the leadership role and unlike Hardik Pandya, who succeeded for Gujarat Titans (GT), Jadeja couldn’t handle the pressure of captaining the champion side.
WATCH- MS Dhoni meets a special fan at Ranchi Airport; wins hearts with his amazing gesture
Under Jadeja, CSK managed to win only 2 of their first 8 league matches and it led to CSK returning to the tried and tested MS Dhoni, who was again named captain. However, Dhoni couldn’t take CSK into the playoffs.
One of the major reasons CSK struggled was the absence of their star bowler Deepak Chahar, who was ruled out due to multiple injuries. Though they found some new faces in Mukesh Choudhary and Simarjeet Singh, Chahar’s ability to give them early wickets hampered their plans.
There were other players who also couldn’t perform as per expectations and therefore might be released ahead of IPL 2023 tournament.
Team COC presents to you the three players who Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might release ahead of the IPL 2023 auction.
CHRIS JORDAN
He picked 2 wickets at an average of 67.50 and an economy of 10.51. His worst performance came against Gujarat Titans when he gave 58 runs in 3.5 overs and was slammed by Rashid Khan for 22 runs in an over, hitting him for 3 sixes and one four.
The England all-rounder was unable to do justice to the faith that was put into him by CSK and couldn’t discharge his duty as a death overs bowler properly, forcing CSK to look to Dwaine Pretorius and other players.
ROBIN UTHAPPA
Exclusive: Circle of Cricket interview with Arshdeep Singh
He made 230 runs with the best of 88 at an average of 20.90 and a strike rate of 134.50. He hit 14 sixes and 19 fours with the bat. However, his performance may not be enough for CSK to retain him before the IPL 2023, especially with the focus turning on a younger lot of players.
RAVINDRA JADEJA
However, his inexperience showed from the start as he failed to lead from the front and he was like a deer in headlights in crunch situations. The pressure got to him when things became tight in matches and it resulted in him turning to MS Dhoni and the veteran keeper taking over, setting fields to ease the burden on Jadeja.
IPL 2022: Ravindra Jadeja 'upset and hurt with CSK management' over captaincy issues- Report
CSK won only two matches out of the first 8 played in the IPL 2022 league stages under Jadeja’s captaincy. This led to the franchise handing the captaincy back to Dhoni and expecting the left-hander to go back to shining in his role as the ace all-rounder.
The pressure of leading such a champion side also affected his batting and bowling also as Jadeja managed just 116 runs and 5 wickets in 10 matches for CSK. His tournament came to an early end due to a rib injury he suffered in a league match against Punjab Kings.
However, reports have suggested that things are not well between the franchise and the all-rounder and he might very well find himself in the IPL 2023 auction, with CSK freeing up INR 16 crores for other players.