IPL 2026: Ravindra Jadeja kisses CSK badge on Khaleel Ahmed’s jersey

New Rajasthan Royals (RR) all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was seen kissing the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) badge on Khaleel Ahmed’s shirt following the two sides’ game at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Monday, March 30.

This was Jadeja’s first game back in RR colours after spending 12 seasons with CSK. The spin-bowling all-rounder was traded to the side where he made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut in exchange for Sanju Samson. 

Jadeja showed that he still loves CSK despite not being part of the squad anymore by kissing the famous lion’s crest on Khaleel’s jersey. The image has since gone viral across social media, with Chennai fans reminiscing about the time Jadeja was part of their various title-winning squads.

The image of Jadeja kissing the badge can be seen below:

The 37-year-old will always be remembered for his heroics in the 2023 IPL final against the Gujarat Titans (GT), where he scored 10 runs off the final two deliveries of the match to help CSK secure their fifth title in dramatic style. 

Jadeja got the better of his former side with RR securing an emphatic eight-wicket victory in Guwahati. Chasing a mere 128, the 2008 champions chased down the total in 12.1 overs, largely thanks to Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s aggressive start to the chase. The 15-year-old scored 52 off just 17 balls, an innings including four fours and five sixes to set his side to take the win. He also had a game to remember on his RR return, taking two crucial wickets, those of Sarfaraz Khan and Shivam Dube, to see CSK bundle out for just 127. The total could have been a lot lower for the five-time champions had it not been for Jamie Overton’s 43.

CSK finished at the foot of the standings in 2025 and were expecting to have a much better season following their heavy investment ahead of the new season. Their next game is against the Punjab Kings at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Friday, April 3. 

RR, on the other hand, face GT at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, April 4. 

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