IPL 2022: Faf du Plessis should have become Chennai Super Kings captain, says Ravi Shastri

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri said that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) should not have let Faf du Plessis go to Royal Challengers Bangalore, as he could have replaced MS Dhoni who stepped down as CSK captain ahead of IPL 2022.

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings have lost their opening four games in IPL 2022, which has happened for the first time in the history of the franchise.

Chennai Super Kings have lifted the trophy four times in the tournament, but are struggling to find their rhythm this season. MS Dhoni stepped down from captaincy ahead of IPL 2022 and handed over the baton to Ravindra Jadeja who is yet to register his first win this season.

Faf du Plessis, who was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2022 mega auction for Rs 7 crore, spent his entire IPL career with CSK. He played an instrumental role in Chennai’s 2021 IPL triumph, scoring 86 runs off 59 balls, winning the Player of the Match in the final against KKR.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Ravi Shastri said that CSK should not have let Faf du Plessis go and Ravindra Jadeja should focus on his cricket.

Shastri said that Plessis should have replaced MS Dhoni as captain of CSK and Ravindra Jadeja should have played as a player without any pressure on him.

“If Dhoni didn’t want to captain the side, then Faf should have become the captain and Jadeja should have played. Because he (Jadeja) can then play freely with no pressure of captaincy,” he said.

“Things could have been different for Chennai,” Shastri added.