Whenever I get an opportunity to finish the game, I always take the game deep: Ravindra Jadeja

The second half of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to begin on September 19 in the UAE. All the eight franchises are gearing up for the same by training hard in practice sessions. Chennai Super Kings, who are currently second on the points table, were one of the teams to reach Dubai early. The franchise had a stunning first half of the IPL in India as they won seven games.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja certainly had a role to play in CSK being ruthless in their performances. He was outstanding in all the areas – batting, bowling, and fielding and ended up living to the tag of a true-blue all-rounder in the team. He was used as a finisher by his CSK skipper MS Dhoni, and he didn’t disappoint by finishing off few games.

His bowling and fielding were never ever questioned but runs with the bat was what he needed to solidify his reputation as an all-rounder. Jadeja has also finished off games for India before, and he credited Dhoni for guiding him the correct way.

“I like to finish matches and win it for my team. Now I have started to believe in myself and give more opportunities to myself to stay in the middle and take time. Whenever I get an opportunity to finish the game, I always take the game deep,” Jadeja told Times of India.

MS Dhoni has been an amazing influence in my career: Ravindra Jadeja

Jadeja has certainly turned a corner in the batting front and has 1009 runs in just 24 Tests with a stunning average of 40.36. In the ODIs, he has amassed 497 runs in 32 matches while coming in at number six or seven in the past year or so. Jadeja feels MS Dhoni’s calming influence has helped him perform well.

“Dhoni bhai always keeps telling me that whenever I get an opportunity, just think that like you are feeling the pressure, the bowler is feeling it as well. So don’t think just about yourself, but also the bowler. He (Dhoni) has been an amazing influence in my career,” Jadeja said.

CSK kick off their UAE leg of IPL by facing off against their arch-rivals Mumbai Indians (MI) on September 19.