Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has said that Ravindra Jadeja isn't a "natural captain" and looked like a "fish out of water" while leading Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2022.

According to Shastri, the Indian all-rounder is better off as a player than in any kind of leadership role.

Jadeja led the franchise in 8 matches but could only manage 2 wins, before handing over the captaincy to MS Dhoni.

"He [Jadeja] is not a natural captain. He hasn't captained at any level. So, to give him the responsibility I thought was a little hard on Jadeja," Shastri said on ESPNcricinfo's T20 Time Out.

SEE ALSO: “I do feel a little bit sorry for him,” says Watson on Jadeja relinquishing CSK's captaincy

He argued it was not Jadeja's fault because the left-hander has never captained at the senior level before.

"People might want to judge Jaddu, but it's not his fault. He hasn't captained anywhere. He looked a fish out of water, totally out of place and he's far better off playing as a player. Because he's one of the best around in the business when it comes to allrounders,” said the former cricketer.

Shastri further remarked that the decision to name the left-arm spinner as the captain might have cost the Super Kings a few games in the early stages of the league and he also said that if the Dhoni-led side had the form they have now, they could have been  “up there in the mix”.

"So let him just focus on his cricket. That [decision to give him the captaincy] cost CSK a few games early on. If you see the form they're in now, if they had this going early on, they'll be right up there in the mix." 

The 33-year-old Jadeja has had a forgettable season so far, having scored just 116 runs and taken five wickets. The defending champions are 9th on the points table with 4 wins in 11 matches and if they have to make it to the playoffs, they’ll need a miracle. 

(INDIA TODAY INPUTS)