‘I'm Liking the Pink Colour’: Ravindra Jadeja Embraces Fresh Start with Rajasthan Royals

Ravindra Jadeja described his exit from Chennai Super Kings as emotional after a long and successful stint, but said he has accepted the change as part of his journey while embracing a fresh start with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League 2026 season.

Jadeja, who returned to Rajasthan Royals through a high-profile trade deal along with Sam Curran as Sanju Samson moved to Chennai, said he is enjoying his comeback to the franchise where he began his IPL career and won his first title in 2008.

"I'm liking the pink colour. The yellow had started to feel a bit old, but I'm just joking. Obviously, leaving a franchise like CSK, where I had played for 12-13 years, was a little difficult initially,” Jadeja said on Jio Hotstar.

“I have carried those memories along with a positive mindset, and my aim is to learn as much as I can with the new group and also share my experience with the team," Jadeja said.

How did Ravindra Jadeja perform against former team Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026 opener?

Having been an integral part of Chennai since 2012, Jadeja played a key role under MS Dhoni in the franchise’s title-winning campaigns in 2018, 2021 and 2023 with impactful performances across batting, bowling and fielding.

The all-rounder made an immediate impact in his return, delivering a strong performance against his former side in Rajasthan’s IPL 2026 opener in Guwahati.

Jadeja picked up two key wickets, dismissing Shivam Dube and Sarfaraz Khan, as Rajasthan secured an eight-wicket win.

The victory was set up by incisive spells from Jofra Archer, Jadeja and Nandre Burger, along with a sensational half-century from Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

During the match, Jadeja also achieved a significant personal milestone by surpassing Lasith Malinga to become the ninth-highest wicket-taker in IPL history.

He now has 172 wickets from 255 matches at an average of 30.26, including a five-wicket haul, going past Malinga’s tally of 170 wickets.

Jadeja’s return marks a full-circle moment in his IPL journey, reconnecting with the franchise where his career first took off, while he looks to contribute with both experience and performance in a new phase.

(With inputs from ANI)