Former India batter Mohammad Kaif commented on speculations that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are trying to transfer Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in exchange for Sanju Samson.
Kaif believes that former CSK captain and franchise face, MS Dhoni, will be eager to turn things around for the five-time winners, who finished bottom in the standings this season. With that goal in mind, Kaif feels Dhoni would desire Samson’s services, even if it meant giving up one of his most trusted players to the Royals.
According to The Indian Express, Dhoni spoke with Jadeja to evaluate his interest, and only then did the Saurashtra player accept to join his first IPL side.
“For Dhoni, making the team win is the biggest goal. If he is coming to play again, he will be thinking CSK finished 10th in the standings last year. He is a man of pride; hence, his biggest goal will be to make the team win another trophy. A team cannot win the trophy based on one player,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
“If Jadeja has to be sacrificed for the team’s good, Dhoni will do it. People say how Dhoni operates based on friendships and does it, giving them a couple of extra chances. But it doesn’t mean his focus goes away from winning. The goal is to make CSK a champion. That’s why he will let go of Jadeja if it has to be done. If Dhoni feels he can get a better option for the team, he will take the decision,” remarked Kaif.
Sanju might have spoken to CSK, maybe Dhoni: Kaif
Kaif also believes that Samson would have had a phone call with Dhoni, as the former India skipper runs CSK. The cricketer-turned-expert also feels Samson can lead the franchise in the future.
“If Samson is likely to join CSK, there would be a lot of calls. Sanju must have called on the phone. Behind the scenes, there are a lot of phone calls. Sanju might have spoken to CSK, maybe Dhoni, ‘Bhai kya lagta hai.’ See, Dhoni runs the team, and if CSK wants Sanju this time, then he is also the future captain. It also means that this is Dhoni’s last year. Why would they want Sanju? Jadeja has been playing for them for a long time (since 2012),” Kaif opined.
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