Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has claimed that CSK skipper MS Dhoni trusted Ravindra Jadeja to do the job in the IPL 2023 final against GT on Monday. CSK defeated GT by 5 wickets via DLS method to win the final in Ahmedabad and become five-time IPL champions.
Jadeja has had a brilliant season with the ball in IPL 2023 as he has picked up a career-high 20 wickets in the competition. However, he couldn’t contribute with the bat as much as he would’ve liked.
However, come the all-important final and the pressure was on Jadeja as he faced the last two balls of the 15th and final over with 10 runs required off Mohit Sharma. He held his nerves and hit those deliveries for a six and a four to take CSK to the win with ease.
Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, Manjrekar said that the all-rounder came into the season with peace and seemed very happy. He also added that MS Dhoni seemingly trusted Jadeja to deliver with the bat, sending him up the order despite Moeen Ali waiting in the dug out.
"I don't think when he came into the season there was anything simmering. He was at peace and it seemed like everything was sorted. He was very happy. It wasn't like he was trying to prove a point. Again, I know it's a cliche thing to say but, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's trust in Jadeja. I think a lot of people think, Moeen Ali, better range. Why don't they send Moeen Ali ahead?
But he kept trusting Jadeja, with batters, left-handers, right-handers, and today when he had the option of sending somebody else, he trusted Jadeja to do it. You can see the camaraderie as well. When they got the wicket of Shubman Gill, the little moment they had together. I think they have established a nice relationship and that has taken Jadeja to an already higher level of cricket," said Manjrekar.
