Did Ravindra Jadeja get emotional and cry on the field vs CSK? Viral video leaves fans guessing

Barsapara Cricket Stadium witnessed an unusually poignant chapter in IPL folklore on Monday night when Ravindra Jadeja, back in Rajasthan Royals pink after 17 years, appeared to fight back tears while patrolling the boundary in the ninth over. With Chennai Super Kings reeling at 60 for six and chants of “CSK, CSK” reverberating around the ground, television close-ups caught the all-rounder’s eyes glistening, prompting a social-media frenzy over whether the 35-year-old was actually crying.

The images were doubly striking because Jadeja’s CV in Chennai colours is glittering: signed in 2012, he became a pillar of MS Dhoni’s set-up and helped secure IPL titles in 2018, 2021 and 2023. A pre-2026 trade deal brought him full circle to the Royals, the franchise with whom he began his IPL journey as a wide-eyed teenager in the inaugural 2008 championship-winning campaign.

On the night, any emotion did little to dull Jadeja’s competitive edge. Introduced in the 12th over, he removed impact substitute Sarfaraz Khan and power-hitter Shivam Dube in the space of four balls, his left-arm spin finishing with 2 for 18. The double strike hastened CSK’s slide to 127 all out, a target the Royals polished off in 12.1 overs to seal a statement win.

Speaking to broadcasters mid-innings, Jadeja kept the focus on execution rather than sentiment. “I think pink looks good on me, I guess,” he quipped, before adding: “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.”

Whether the moisture in his eyes was pure sweat, a rush of memories, or something deeper, Jadeja left the arena with another match-turning spell to his name and a viral moment that will be replayed long after the final ball.