MS Dhoni Ravindra Jadeja for CSK in IPL. Image Credits: AFP
IPL star Ravindra Jadeja has been one of the players most strongly associated with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for many years. Therefore, fans of the Yellow Army are still emotional about him even after he officially left CSK to join Rajasthan Royals in a major IPL 2026 trade.
Notably, last year, before the IPL 2026 retention deadline in November, a high-profile transfer deal took place between CSK and Rajasthan Royals. As part of this trade agreement, Sanju Samson joined CSK. On the other hand, Royals received Jadeja and Sam Curran.
This was one of the biggest trade deals ahead of the IPL 2026 season, and it changed the team combinations significantly.
Ravindra Jadeja’s emotional bond with CSK
However, CSK fans are still not over Jadeja’s departure because they truly miss him. Between 2012 and 2025, Ravindra Jadeja played 186 matches for CSK, and only MS Dhoni has played more matches for the franchise.
Although these numbers may look like simple statistics, the period was very special for CSK fans. Notably, Jadeja joined CSK as a talented player, but over the years, he became a franchise legend and played some of the best cricket of his career wearing the yellow jersey.
After MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina, Jadeja is considered one of the most emotionally connected players in CSK history. The Chennai fans even gave him a special name, “Thalapathy,” which means General. The star all-rounder was not called this because he was a captain, but because he was always at the center of important moments, tough matches, and memorable comebacks.
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One of the most iconic moments came in the 2023 IPL final when Jadeja hit the winning runs. Interestingly, MS Dhoni celebrated Jadeja’s moment more than his own, which showed their strong bond.
However, last year, reports revealed that Jadeja himself had expressed interest in moving away during discussions with the CSK management.
Fans demand Ravindra Jadeja’s return
Recently, a viral video has been circulating on the internet in which fans were seen demanding Jadeja’s return during the CSK Roar event held on March 22.
In the video, fans were shouting “Jaddu, Jaddu” loudly after clips from the 2023 IPL Final were shown on the screen. The Chepauk crowd erupted with chants for Jadeja and even called on MS Dhoni to bring Jadeja back into the team. This clearly shows how much the fans still love and miss the all-rounder.
Watch the video here:
Meanwhile, Jadeja has now joined Rajasthan Royals again, which is actually his former team where he began his IPL career and won the inaugural IPL title in 2008.
Jadeja and MS Dhoni set to face off
It is also important to note that CSK’s IPL 2026 campaign will begin on March 30 against Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. This match will be very special because it will be the first time MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja will play against each other after the trade.
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