Player Interviews: Did Ravindra Jadeja Hint at Issues with Virat Kohli’s Test Captaincy?

Ravindra Jadeja’s recent interview then sparked controversy, hinting at a “PR game” in Indian cricket and past disagreements with MS Dhoni in IPL 2023. His comments on bought social media followers and Test captaincy ambitions fueled speculation, leaving fans curious about tensions within the team and Indian cricket’s future.

Ravindra Jadeja Feels Test Captaincy Is Easier Than T20 Leadership?

Ravindra Jadeja, one of India’s top all-rounders, recently got real about his dream of captaining the Test team during a heartfelt chat on Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube channel and speaking before the BCCI named the squad for the upcoming England tour, Jadeja shared his desire to lead India, especially in Tests, at a time when the team is navigating a major shift. With cricket giants like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring and Shubman Gill stepping up as the new captain, Jadeja’s words carry weight. Having played under legendary leaders, he feels ready to take on the challenge, bringing his experience and cool-headedness to guide India forward in the longest format.

Jadeja, who has been a key figure in India’s successes, including the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy, believes that captaining the Test side is less demanding than leading in T20 cricket. He explained that Test cricket allows a captain more time to strategize and make decisions. According to Jadeja, in Test matches, a captain mainly adjusts a few fielders based on the bowler’s needs, making it a straightforward yet calculative role. In contrast, he described T20 captaincy as far more intense, where every ball feels like a high-stakes event, requiring quick thinking and constant adjustments. He said:

Yes, definitely! See, what I feel is that over the years, I have played under different captains. I know the mindset of every single captain that I have played under. Every captain has a different mindset on how he wants to run the team. For example MS Dhoni, I have played under him in every format. His thinking is very simple. If he feels that a batter can hit in that region, he will simply take a fielder there. He wants to make them uncomfortable by not putting a fielder where they can’t hit.

Reflecting on his experience, Jadeja shared that playing under captains like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma has given him a deep understanding of leadership. He highlighted Dhoni’s simple yet effective approach, like placing fielders strategically to unsettle batters. Having observed different leadership styles, Jadeja feels confident in his ability to take on the captaincy role. He expressed a clear desire to lead India, emphasizing that his years of experience under various captains have equipped him with the knowledge to manage a team effectively. He further added:

In Test cricket, you have to change two three fielders as per the need of the bowler. Captaincy in Test cricket is different. It’s simple but calculative. It’s not complicated like the IPL of T20Is. In T20s, every ball is an event. Test cricket is not that hectic.

Jadeja’s brief stint as captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) didn’t go as planned, as Dhoni was reinstated mid-season due to poor results. However, this hasn’t dimmed his aspirations. He sees Test captaincy as an opportunity to apply his cricketing intellect in a format that suits his calm and calculative approach.

Ravindra Jadeja Slams Players for Focusing More on PR Than Performance

With the growing trend of social media, the world of Indian cricket has seen players increasingly rely on digital platforms to boost their image. However, Team India’s veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja recently stirred controversy by calling out what he described as the “PR game” in Indian cricket. In a candid conversation on Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube channel during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, Jadeja took a bold stand against players who, he hinted, use public relations strategies and even purchase fake followers and likes to inflate their social media presence. Without naming anyone, his remarks sparked widespread speculation online, with fans pointing fingers at big names like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer. He said:

It’s okay for the relentless comments that are posted. I strongly believe that a player should earn respect in the dressing room. Your social media profile and engagement don’t matter at all if you can’t gain the respect of your teammates. Some are organic, some are bought — and the trend nowadays is to buy the engagement.

Jadeja expressed frustration over how some players rely on carefully curated public personas and brand endorsements to mask their on-field failures. He emphasized that true respect in cricket comes from performance and camaraderie in the dressing room, not from a polished social media profile. He went further, slamming the trend of buying engagement and his comments highlighted a growing concern in the cricket community about authenticity in the digital age.

The all-rounder’s remarks come at a time when social media has become a powerful tool for athletes to connect with fans and secure lucrative endorsements. However, Jadeja’s critique suggests that some players may be prioritizing their online image over their actual contributions to the team. His blunt words triggered a heated debate on platforms like X, where fans and analysts discussed the ethics of using PR tactics to enhance popularity.

Did Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni Have a Rift During IPL 2023?

In the IPL, Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni share a bond that goes beyond the cricket field, built on trust, mentorship, and mutual respect, even though they’ve had their share of disagreements. During a heartfelt chat on Ravichandran Ashwin’s podcast, Jadeja opened up about a heated moment with Dhoni during the 2023 IPL season, where Chennai Super Kings (CSK) clinched their fifth title by defeating Gujarat Titans in a rain-affected final. Jadeja revealed that, a couple of games before the final, he and Dhoni disagreed with field placements. Dhoni, however, explained his perspective, emphasizing it was in the team’s best interest, showcasing his calm leadership style. He said:

The 2023 IPL win was emotional as I went and hugged MS Dhoni after scoring 10 runs off the last two balls. Also, it was an emotional moment for Mahi bhai. We argued a couple of games before the final where we disagreed on the field placements, and he explained to me that it was in the team’s interest. All the things piled up and lifting Mahi bhai was special as it was my time to pay back all the faith and trust he has shown in me.

Jadeja’s journey with CSK has been a rollercoaster. In 2022, he was appointed captain, but after a string of poor performances, Dhoni took back the leadership role mid-season. Despite this setback, Jadeja’s contribution to CSK’s 2023 triumph was unforgettable. In the final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, he smashed 10 runs off the last two balls, securing the victory and sharing an emotional hug with Dhoni. Jadeja described this moment as special, a way to repay the faith Dhoni had shown in him over the years. He added:

When I started, I didn’t realise that I would play this many games for India in Test cricket. I always believed white ball was my forte and wanted to establish myself there. I used to feel that Test cricket is a little long as well. Only very sincere players can play for it. This was my mindset initially,” Jadeja stated. “I started playing in Jamnagar, at a ground called ‘Cricket Bungalow’, at the age of 8-9. My coach, who is still training at the same ground, is also from Bihar and his name is Mahendra Singh Chauhan. I have told this to Mahi bhai as well that my cricket journey is between two Mahendra’s – Mahendra Singh Chauhan & Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Jadeja credited Dhoni for shaping his career, especially in Test cricket, which he initially found daunting. Starting his cricket journey at age 8-9 in Jamnagar under coach Mahendra Singh Chauhan, Jadeja humorously noted that his career has been guided by “two Mahendras”, Chauhan and Dhoni. He admitted that early on, he saw white-ball cricket as his strength, but Dhoni’s guidance helped him excel in Tests, where he never imagined playing so many games for India and Despite CSK’s poor performance in IPL 2025, winning only four of 14 matches and finishing tenth, the bond between Jadeja and Dhoni remains strong.