Reports: Ravindra Jadeja was forced to relinquish CSK captaincy

Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja's stint as the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain ended prematurely as he allegedly decided to hand back the control to his predecessor, MS Dhoni.

Jadeja's stint proved to be a disastrous one both for his side as well as for him personally.

Under him, the defending champions managed just two wins in eight games and the spin-bowling all-rounder himself struggled to make an impact in either skillset.

The development was made public on the eve of CSK's 9th fixture against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

In a statement, CSK management confirmed that Jadeja has decided to relinquish leadership duties back to MS Dhoni to focus on his game. The latter has accepted to lead the team in the 'larger interest of the franchise'.

Later, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan again stated that the decision was solely from a cricketing point of view and that Jadeja was privy to it.

"This is a decision taken by the team management and Jaddu, a decision which we have now published in the press. Team officials didn't have a say in this, only the team management. Jaddu expressed his desire to relinquish captaincy and give it back to MSD, who is taking up the responsibility in the larger interest of the franchise," Viswanathan told The Sunday Express.

However, it has now emerged that Jadeja was allegedly forced to give up captaincy.

According to a report published in Cricbuzz, a CSK insider has revealed that the top-brass wasn't happy with the individual performance of Jadeja.

"The management cannot be silent that the world's best all-rounder is not performing to his best. Obviously, he is weighed down by the burden of captaincy," the insider said.

Nevertheless, CSK returned to winning ways on Sunday night as they thumped SRH comfortably to keep their hopes alive of making it to the playoffs.