Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Suresh Raina said that he feels Ravindra Jadeja will be a great support to captain MS Dhoni in the upcoming IPL 2023, which begins from March 31 onwards.
The IPL 2023 edition will go back to the home and away format with all teams playing seven matches at their home grounds and seven away. This means CSK will be back playing their home matches at Chepauk in Chennai.
In IPL 2022, Ravindra Jadeja was named captain of the side ahead of the tournament but was replaced by MS Dhoni midway after his captaincy didn’t yield desired results.
Speaking to Sportskeeda, Raina said Jadeja has done really well with both bat and ball and will prove to be a great support for CSK captain MS Dhoni in the upcoming season.
"Sir Jadeja has done really well with both bat and ball of late and he will prove to be a great support to Dhoni. He has gone through a great rehab as he is looking really strong and physically fit. When he goes there (Chepauk), fans will cheer for him as well as for Dhoni,” said Raina.
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He also showered praise on Ruturaj Gaikwad, saying he is a great player and will definitely do well for the franchise.
"Ruturaj will play his first game at the Chepauk. He is a great player and will definitely do well. MS Dhoni will also be keen to go back to Chepauk and interact with all the 'Whistle Podu' and 'Yellove' fans. It will be very exciting and I hope we will start with a win there,” Raina added.
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He was ecstatic that CSK will be returning home to Chepauk and that the fans will be once again able to see their favorite players playing on the home ground.
"I am very happy that we are back playing in front of our fans after four long years. We won a trophy in Dubai in those four years and the fans would be proud that we achieved that while we were away from our home,” said Raina.
CSK will play the IPL 2023 opening match on March 31 against defending champions Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
(Sportskeeda inputs)