Former India skipper MS Dhoni would begin his training for the upcoming IPL 2021 this month and is likely to join the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) camp on March 11. A franchise official while talking confirmed that the CSK captain would be attending the camp.
“Yes, we are expecting all players to start coming in batches. Captain MS Dhoni will be available and attending the camp from day one. Players availability should not be an issue. We are very hopeful that the camp will successfully begin and we will strictly follow the same bio-bubble protocol and no additional measures are required to be taken at this stage. We have put in place stringent health and safety protocols for the camp and all the participants will follow mandatory testing,’ a franchise official confirmed to Inside Sport.
CSK faced few problems last year after a number of cricketers including players like Deepak Chahar and Ruturaj Gaikwad were tested positive for COVID-19. The official said that the franchise will take additional measures in the tough times.
“Last year it was unfortunate and we have learnt our lesson. This year we hope and pray nothing like that happens but as of now, we don’t see any reason why additional measures should be taken. We trust our contingency and logistical plans.”
CSK bought Moeen Ali, Krishnappa Gowtham, Cheteshwar Pujara during the IPL 2021 mini auctions held in Chennai last month. The Chennai franchise is the second-most successful IPL team after Mumbai Indians. They have won the title thrice but they had a forgettable run in the last edition of the cash-rich league after the side was knocked out of the tournament in the league stage.
This was the first time when CSK didn’t make it to the play-offs. Dhoni who hung his boots from international cricket on August 15 last year has been leading the team right from the beginning. Though, CSK was one of the two teams apart from Rajasthan Royals to be banned for a couple of years from the tournament after being involved in a spot-fixing scandal. CSK and RR didn’t feature in the 2016 and 2017 editions of the IPL.