IPL 2021: Dhoni returns as CSK begin training at nets
The Indian Premier League 2021 season will kick off from April 9 and Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni returned to the nets as the three-time champions began the training sessions at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. According to PTI, the sessions began after all the players and staff cleared their RT-PCT rests during the stipulated quarantine period. Here's more.
Remaining players to arrive in the next few days
"The CSK players completed their quarantine requirements and began practice yesterday. Gradually, the others will join the camp after a period of quarantine," Reddy told PTI. CSK CEO K Viswanathan added that the remaining players will arrive at the training sessions in the next few days. CSK are set to open their campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 10.
IPL 2021: CSK's schedule in April
April 10 - CSK v DC, Mumbai, 7:30 PM April 16 - PK v CSK, Mumbai, 7:30 PM April 19 - CSK vs RR, Mumbai, 7:30 PM April 21 - KKR vs CSK, Mumbai, 7:30 PM April 25 - CSK vs RCB, Mumbai, 3:30 PM April 28 - CSK vs SRH, Delhi, 7:30 PM
Several players present at the training session
Besides Dhoni, several other key players including Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ambati Rayudu were seen at the nets. The new recruits, N Jagadeesan, R Sai Kishore, C Hari Nishaanth, and Harishankar Reddy, were all present at the training session as well.
IPL 2021: CSK's schedule in May
May 01 - MI vs CSK, Delhi, 7:30 PM May 05 - RR vs CSK, Delhi, 7:30 PM May 07 - SRH vs CSK, Delhi, 7:30 PM May 09 - CSK vs PK, Bangalore, 3:30 PM May 12 - CSK vs KKR, Bangalore, 7:30 PM May 16 - CSK vs MI, Bangalore, 7:30 PM May 21 - DC vs CSK, Kolkata, 7:30 PM
CSK had a disappointing IPL 2020 campaign
Chennai Super Kings had a forgettable IPL season last year. For the first time in 13 seasons, the Yellow Army failed to qualify for the playoffs. Dhoni remained under the scanner for his peculiar decisions on the field, and maintaining a slow scoring-rate. CSK finished at number seven with six wins and eight defeats. They missed the service of Suresh Raina badly.
CSK's last league encounter is against RCB on May 23
CSK's last league encounter is on May 23. They will face RCB at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The match will begin at 7:30 PM IST.
Squad: Players retained and bought
Retained: Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, N. Jagadeesan (wk), Robin Uthappa, MS Dhoni (c and wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Karn Sharma, R. Sai Kishore, Mitchell Santner, Imran Tahir, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Lungi Ngidi, Josh Hazlewood, KM Asif. Players bought: Moeen Ali, K Gowtham, Cheteshwar Pujara, M Harisankar Reddy, K. Bhagath Varma, C Hari Nishanth.
