Two wickets and an emotional badge-kiss mark Jadeja’s statement return against former team
March 31, 2026: Ravindra Jadeja turned back the clock in IPL 2026, delivering a match-winning performance against his former side Chennai Super Kings while representing Rajasthan Royals. The veteran all-rounder picked up two crucial wickets in a single over, dismantling Chennai’s middle order and restricting them to a modest total of 127. Early blows to Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson set the tone, and despite a late push by Jamie Overton, CSK never fully recovered.
Jadeja’s key strikes included dismissing Sarfaraz Khan and Shivam Dube, underlining his continued impact in the league. Having been traded out by Chennai, the performance carried added significance as he returned to the franchise where his IPL journey began.
Chasing a modest target, Rajasthan’s young guns dominated from the outset. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided a blistering start, with Sooryavanshi smashing a rapid 15-ball half-century. Dhruv Jurel added a quick cameo before skipper Riyan Parag and Jaiswal sealed the win comfortably. In a poignant post-match moment, Jadeja was seen kissing the CSK badge on Khaleel Ahmed’s jersey, reflecting both nostalgia and closure after a memorable outing.