Ravindra Jadeja’s long-awaited return to Rajasthan Royals was as impactful as it was symbolic, with the veteran all-rounder delivering a decisive spell to derail his former team, Chennai Super Kings, during both sides’ IPL 2026 opener on Monday.
“I think pink looks good on me,” Jadeja told the broadcasters during the innings break of the match after scalping impressive figures of 2/18 in three overs.
The 37-year-old’s appearance for RR on Monday also marked a unique milestone, setting a new IPL record for the longest gap between appearances for the same team - 6158 days.
Previously, Karn Sharma held the record with 5093 days - almost 14 years - separating his two appearances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
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Jadeja’s move to RR from CSK heading into the new Indian Premier League season made headlines as it marked his spiritual homecoming to the team where it all began after 17 long years.
He was part of the Rajasthan Royals team, which won the inaugural IPL back in 2008 under Shane Warne.
Introduced after the Royals’ seamers had made early inroads at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati, Jadeja ensured there was no respite for CSK against spin, striking twice in his very first over to deepen the collapse.
Up against CSK - a team which he represented for 10 seasons over two spells - Jadeja made an immediate impact by trapping Impact Player Sarfaraz Khan LBW with just his second ball.
Shivam Dube, who replaced Sarfaraz out in the middle, then took the attack to Jadeja by hitting him for a six off the very first ball. However, it was the veteran all-rounder who had the last laugh in the mini duel as he had Dube caught at long on off the final delivery of the over.
The wicket also triggered a grand celebration from Jadeja, who relishes on-field contests like these.
“I've known Shivam Dube for a long time - I've bowled to him in the nets, so I understand how he approaches spinners. I was prepared for that and tried to bowl outside off, because I knew he would look to play big shots against me,” Jadeja noted when speaking about the wicket later.
“I felt the wicket was a bit sticky and the ball was turning, so I really enjoyed bowling - my job was just to hit the right areas and let the pitch do the rest,” he said, reflecting on the conditions.
The dual blow broke the back of the CSK middle order and helped the Royals bundle them out for 127 before cruising to a comfortable eight-wicket win thanks to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s quickfire 50.
Jadeja, who is just 15 runs short of becoming only the second Indian player to register 4000 runs and take 200 wickets in T20 cricket, didn’t get the opportunity to bat in the match.
