Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had a season to forget in IPL 2025. The five-time champions finished at the bottom of the points table.
Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out mid-season due to injury, and MS Dhoni had to take over the captaincy. But even the veteran could not lift the team as CSK ended in 10th place.
In a recent chat with Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel, Ravindra Jadeja opened up about his bond with MS Dhoni.
The veteran all-rounder recalled their first meeting in 2005 during the Challenger Trophy and shared some unknown details about the CSK skipper.
Jadeja Talks About First Meeting With Dhoni
Jadeja said he met Dhoni for the first time during a domestic tournament in Chennai. Both players were on the same flight from Mumbai.
“I first met MS Dhoni during the Challengers Trophy 2005 in Chennai. I was in the economy class and he was sitting in business class. Everyone was saying ‘Dhoni is sitting in front’, but I was too nervous to go and meet him,” said Jadeja.
Even after playing together for many years, Jadeja admitted he still feels a little nervous around Dhoni when he is not in the mood.
“He Never Cared About Personal Records”
Jadeja praised Dhoni’s selfless nature and team-first attitude. He mentioned that Dhoni never chased personal milestones and always focused on the team’s success.
“I never heard MS Dhoni talk about his personal milestones. He never thought about his own fifties or hundreds. He always cared about the other ten players in the team,” Jadeja added.
Dhoni had a quiet season with the bat in 2025. He scored 196 runs in 13 matches at an average of 24.5 and a strike rate of 135.17.
But the good news for CSK fans is that Ruturaj Gaikwad is expected to return as captain in IPL 2026, allowing Dhoni to enjoy the game without the pressure of leadership.
