IPL 2021: After last year's low, can Dhoni take CSK home? | Full Analysis
New Delhi: Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings players started with their preparations for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, clearing their RT-PCR test during their quarantine period.
Batsman Ambati Rayudu, Ruturaj Gaiwad and few others were part of the camp that started on Monday. Tamil Nadu’s N Jagadeesan, C Hari Nishaanth and R Sai Kishore, who was picked during the last month’s IPL auction, can be seen training with Dhoni and Rayudu. Medium-pacer Harishankar Reddy was also present in the training camp.
“The CSK players completed their quarantine requirements and began practice yesterday. Gradually, the others will join the camp after a period of quarantine,” he stated.
Leg-spinner Karn Sharma and Bhagath Varma and few others picked in the auction recently are expected to arrive in the upcoming days, Viswanathan remarked.
MS Dhoni was the last to arrive in the city on Wednesday. During the mini-auction, CSK has picked England’s all-rounder Moeen Ali for Rs 7 crore. Karnataka’s all-rounder K Gowtham was picked for Rs 9.25 crore and Cheteshwar Pujara for Rs 50 lakhs.
This year’s IPL 2021 opening match will be between the last year’s champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 9 in Chennai. Three-time IPL winners CSK will be starting their campaign the next day against Delhi Capitals in Mumbai.
In this year’s IPL, no team will be playing at their home stadiums as all the matches to be played will be at neutral venues.
Here is how the fans are reacting to the return of Captain cool
Retweet, if you can’t wait to see him in action. ???#DhoniReturns | @MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/LXxMvf2BsT
— DHONI Era™ ? (@TheDhoniEra) March 9, 2021
“We will come back stronger in IPL 2021, that’s what we are known for” – MS Dhoni ??#DhoniReturns | @MSDhoni
— DHONIsm™ ❤️ (@DHONIism) March 9, 2021
Within few minutes of trend it has started to trend at top at India trends. ❤️??
Unparalleled Fan Base. ???#DhoniReturns | @MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/tQotfWQFJr
— DHONIsm™ ❤️ (@DHONIism) March 9, 2021
April 10, KING Entry ??#DhoniReturns | @MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/J0aa7fwT5K
— DHONI Army TN™ (@DhoniArmyTN) March 9, 2021
#DhoniReturns to practice and the celebrations begin among fans.
Vera Level fandom @msdhoni @ChennaiIPL ? #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/82KRsgYZIq
— Prabhu (@Cricprabhu) March 9, 2021