Harbhajan said, Jadeja will be the ‘X factor’ of Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023
Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will be the ‘X factor’ for four-time champions CSK in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament. . Jadeja made a successful return to international cricket after several months out due to knee surgery and played a key role in India’s 2–1 victory in the four-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
After a tumultuous season last year, the experienced all-rounder is expected to once again play a key role for the team. Jadeja was handed over the captaincy last season when Mahendra Singh Dhoni relinquished the captaincy after leading the team for several years. Jadeja, who has been a part of CSK since 2012, however, has not been able to impress as captain. The team lost six out of their opening eight matches after which Jadeja stepped down and Dhoni took over the captaincy once again. Dhoni will also be in the role of captain in the 2023 season.
IPL 2023 will begin on March 31 with a clash between the Superkings and defending champions Gujarat Titans. Harbhajan told ‘Star Sports’, ‘One person everyone should keep an eye on is Ravindra Jadeja, especially how he bats for CSK. He can be sent up the order and will bowl four overs as well. If you look at it from the point of view of world cricket, I don’t think there is a better all-rounder than him.
He said, “I am waiting to see Jadeja in the IPL. The X factor for me would be Ravindra Jadeja because he has been very successful in these conditions as a bowler and a batsman, playing there for so many years. So for me, he is definitely going to be the X factor for the team. The former Indian spinner said that Dhoni remains the heart of the team.
Harbhajan said, “The biggest strength of this team is Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He is the heart of the team. He knows the team very well and he is probably the best person who can get the most out of each and every player in the team. According to him, the likes of Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and players like Devon Conway and Mahesh Tikhsna will play a vital role in the IPL. Will play an important role in 2023.
Harbhajan said, “First of all I will pick Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Conway will definitely be in the team and Tikshan will be preferred over Pathirana as Tikshan will be more effective in Chennai. But if there is a match against Mumbai Indians at a venue like Mumbai, I would go for Pathirana as he bowls very much like Malinga and spin won’t play a big role there. If we have to choose, they would be Conway, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Teekshana.
