Amid all the tensions surrounding Josh Hazlewood withdrawing his name from IPL 2021, Chennai Super Kings have received a major boost with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja fit to play from the first game. The Super Kings begin their campaign on April 10 against Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Incidentally, Jadeja sustained an injury in his arm during the Test series against Australia earlier this year. Subsequently, he travelled back to the country and joined the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru to begin his rehabilitation. As a result, he missed the entire series against England where India routed the visitors across all the formats.
Ravindra Jadeja fit to play from the first game
A couple of days back Ravindra Jadeja joined the Chennai Super Kings camp in Mumbai. However, everyone was sweating over his availability in the first game against Delhi Capitals. But a source close to the franchise has confirmed to TOI that Jadeja has looked in good touch with both bat and ball during CSK’s training sessions and is available for selection from the first game.
“He (Ravindra Jadeja) batted and bowled in the nets and looked pretty good at that. He will definitely be part of the playing XI,” a source was quoted as saying by TOI.
Chennai Super Kings will desperate to turn the tables in IPL 2021 after finishing seventh in the last season in the UAE. The return of Suresh Raina – the highest run-scorer for Chennai in IPL, will bolster their side along with the addition of Moeen Ali.
Chennai struggle to find Josh Hazlewood’s replacement
The MS Dhoni-led side has found it difficult to rope in a replacement for the parting fast bowler ahead of the start of IPL 2021. If reports are to be believed, the Super Kings management had approached Aussie paceman Billy Stanlake and England left-arm pacer Reece Topley as a replacement for Josh Hazlewood. However, both of them have turned the offers down, the reason being the increased number of COVID-19 cases in India.