‘He didn't complain’ - CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan quashes Dhoni-Jadeja rift rumours

One of the biggest talking points around the Indian Premier League in the past has been the alleged rift between Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni and veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, which is beleived to have been going on since 2022 when Jadeja was given CSK's captaincy but Dhoni took over once the team started to struggle in the competition.

Furthermore, the rumours got heated even further after Jadeja jokingly claimed that the fans used to wait for him to get out so Dhoni could come in to bat. However, amid the rumours of such a rift, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan came forward to debunk such reports. Viswanathan opined that Jadeja has never had any feelings against Dhoni feelings and has never complained about the same.

"As far as Jadeja is concerned, he bowled superbly. While batting, our line-up of Ruturaj, Conway, Moeen, Rahane, with the results, whenever he [Jadeja] went in to bat, he had 5-10 balls left. In such situations, it can or can't click sometimes. But the thing is he also knew Dhoni was to come in next, and he himself would get just 2-3 balls sometimes," Kasi Viswanathan told ESPNcricinfo

"In such situations whenever he went in, the crowd used to welcome Dhoni. In a way, he may have felt hurt. Any player for that matter may have had that pressure. But he didn't complain about it even though he put out a tweet," he added.

It's all part and parcel of the game: Viswanathan

More fuel was added to the fire after Dhoni was captured in a heated conversation with Jadeja when Chennai took on Delhi Capitals. Talking about that argument, Viswanathan opined that everyone has always had high respect for Dhoni.

"It's all part and parcel of the game. After the last game, people saw videos online and assumed I'm pacifying Jadeja, but it wasn't like that. I was talking to him about the match, what he did. We didn't have any other discussion," Kasi Viswanathan said.

"Everyone knows in a team environment, what happens in the dressing room, no one is privy to it outside. We don't have any problem. He always had high respect for Dhoni. After the final also, he said, 'I dedicate this knock to Dhoni.' That is the kind of respect he has for MS," he added.