Ravindra Jadeja: No better all-rounder than Ravindra Jadeja, he will be CSK’s X factor: Harbhajan Singh | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Ravindra Jadeja has been a vital cog in Chennai Super Kings’ line up over the years and the all-rounder was even entrusted with the captaincy last year.
But Jadeja’s captaincy debut saw CSK suffer six defeats out of the first eight matches that forced him to step down from the post. MS Dhoni was again handed over the reins of the team.
Former India and Chennai Super Kings cricketer Harbhajan Singh feels the playing conditions in the upcoming IPL will make him an X factor for the four-time champions Chennai.
Having played a pivotal role in India’s 2-1 series win over Australia, Jadeja saw a successful return to competitive cricket after knee surgery kept him out of the action for several months.

The IPL 2023 starts on March 31 with Chennai Super Kings slated to face the defending champions Gujarat Titans in the opening match.
Harbhajan told Star Sports, “The one person who everyone should keep an eye on is Ravindra Jadeja, especially how he bats for CSK. He may be promoted up the order plus he has his four overs. If you look at it from a world cricket perspective, I don’t think there’s a better all-rounder than him.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing Ravindra Jadeja in the IPL. The X factor for me will be Ravindra Jadeja because he has been very successful in these conditions as a bowler and a batsman, he’s been playing there for so many years. So for me, he is definitely going to be the X factor for the side.”
The ex-India spinner, also a former player for CSK, said Dhoni remains the heart of the team.
“The biggest strength of this team is MS Dhoni. He is the heart of the team. He knows the team very well and he is probably the best person to get the most out of each player in the team.”
According to the spin great, the likes of Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Devon Conway and Maheesh Theekshana will play a vital role in their IPL 2023 season.
“Firstly I would select Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali ofcourse, Conway will definitely be in the side and Theekshana, before Pathirana because Theekshana will be more effective in Chennai. But if the match happens in a place like Mumbai, against Mumbai Indians, then I will select Pathirana because he bowls a lot like Malinga and spin doesn’t play a big factor over there.
“If I have to select the four overseas players it would be Conway, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Theekshana,” he expressed.
(With PTI Inputs)