New Delhi, March 31 (NationPress) All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja shared his heartfelt sentiments following an emotional match against his prior team, Chennai Super Kings, after contributing significantly to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their dominant eight-wicket victory during the IPL 2026 opener held at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Monday.

Facing CSK for the first time since a notable trade that saw Sam Curran moving to RR while Sanju Samson went the other way, Jadeja acknowledged that the transition was challenging.

"I’m enjoying the pink color. The yellow had started to feel somewhat dated, just kidding. But leaving a franchise like CSK, where I spent 12-13 years, was initially quite tough. It was very emotional. I reassured myself that such changes are a part of the journey. The positive aspect is that I’m now with the team where I first celebrated an IPL title," Jadeja shared with JioStar.

"That memory has always been with me; after the Under-19 World Cup, I began my IPL journey there and clinched the title in my debut season. I carry those memories with a positive outlook, aiming to learn as much as I can with this new group while also sharing my experiences with them," he added.

Jadeja made a significant impact with the ball, helping RR restrict CSK to a mere 127 runs, setting up a straightforward chase led by an explosive performance from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Discussing the conditions at the ACA Stadium, Jadeja emphasized how the pitch complemented his bowling style.

"The pitch was slightly sticky, making it favorable for my type of bowling. My task was simply to bowl in the right areas. When you target the correct spots on a wicket that holds up a bit, the ball tends to grip and come off slower, which is a good feeling for a bowler. Getting such a surface in my very first match boosts your confidence immensely," he noted.

"I considered bowling at the stumps, hoping for an opportunity if he mis-timed it. But after he hit me for a six, I quickly adjusted my strategy to bowl wider, as he had been hitting straight. Eventually, I targeted the fifth-sixth stump line, thinking that if he went across, he might lose his timing, and that’s exactly what happened. Fortunately, he didn’t achieve the elevation he was aiming for, and it resulted in a crucial wicket for us."

A pivotal moment was his dismissal of Shivam Dube, a formidable power-hitter who could have altered the game’s momentum. Jadeja elaborated on his exuberant celebration after taking the wicket.

"While playing for CSK, I celebrated similarly, so it was my ‘to be continued’ moment. A player like Dube doesn't allow any room for mistakes and targets big shots right from the start. That was my mindset, but my primary goal was to get him out since his wicket at that point would likely have ended their chances, with only bowlers remaining and no other hard-hitters in the lineup," he explained.

Jadeja’s all-around performance, combined with RR’s efficient display, marked a powerful beginning for the franchise as they launched their IPL 2026 campaign with a decisive win over their former team's side.