Ravindra Jadeja made an immediate impact for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 with a memorable spell against his former team Chennai Super Kings. The all rounder who was traded ahead of the season showed exactly why he remains such a valuable asset.

Coming into bowl when CSK were already under pressure, Jadeja produced a spell that shifted the momentum quickly in RR’s favour and marked a strong start to his new chapter.

Double strike for Ravindra Jadeja in his first over

Jadeja was introduced in the eighth over when CSK were struggling at 51 for 4, searching for stability in the middle. He wasted no time in making an impact.

The first breakthrough came when Sarfaraz Khan attempted a premeditated sweep but completely missed a slower delivery from Jadeja. The ball struck him around the arm area and after a review the decision stood, with ball tracking showing three reds.

A few deliveries later, Jadeja struck again. Shivam Dube went for an aggressive lofted shot against a fuller delivery outside off stump but failed to time it properly. The ball went straight to long off where the catch was taken comfortably.

A surprising trade that set the stage

Before the IPL 2026 auction, Jadeja along with Sam Curran was traded to Rajasthan Royals in exchange for Sanju Samson. The move came as a surprise to many in the cricketing fraternity, especially considering Jadeja’s long association with CSK since 2012 and his role in several of their title winning campaigns over the years.

Even at 37, Jadeja continues to prove that he still has plenty to offer. His control with the ball and ability to deliver under pressure remain as effective as ever, making him a key figure in Rajasthan Royals’ plans.

CSK’s batting struggles continue to raise concerns

It was yet another disappointing outing for CSK with the bat as their innings never really took off. The team, which endured a difficult previous season, once again failed to deliver a composed batting performance and were bowled out for 127 runs.

Only three batters managed to reach double digits, with Jamie Overton top scoring with 43 runs. The rest of the batting order struggled to build partnerships or show any resistance as wickets kept falling at regular intervals.

For a franchise known for its legacy and consistency, such performances are far from ideal. With several experienced and young names in the squad, CSK will need to regroup quickly and find answers if they are to turn their campaign around.

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