Captain MS Dhoni is set to start training with Chennai Super Kings from March 2 as he prepares for the new IPL season.
Despite constant speculation about his future ever since last year’s World Cup in India, the 38-year-old will join the team’s other players as preparations ramp up.
The wicketkeeper-batsman has taken a break from the game since India’s semi-final loss to New Zealand but is getting ready to return for the IPL.
Dhoni will join teammates at the MA Chidambaran Stadium for training sessions before the opening fixture on March 29, according to Chennai CEO KS Viswanathan. The IPL 13 curtain-raiser will see CSK take on defending champions an rivals Mumbai Indians in a repeat of last season’s final.
Chennai have won the Indian Premier League on three previous occasions. They secured the title in 201, 2011 and 2018 and have been runners-up a further five times under Dhoni’s guidance.
Dhoni had started training again with Jharkhand but will now get in some important practice sessions with CSK’s new arrivals. They include England all-rounder Sam Curran, Australian pace bowler Josh Hazelwood, Piyush Chawla, Tamil Nadu and R Sai Kishore follow December's IPL Auction.
Praise for Dhoni from retiring spinner
Pragyan Ojha has praised his former captain MS Dhoni after retiring from all forms of the game.
The for India spinner called time on his playing days last week but took the time to praise veteran Dhoni, who was his international captain for most of his career.
Ojha played 24 Tests and 18 ODIs between 2008 and 2013 and took more than 100 wickets for India. He also lifted the IPL trophy on two occasions with Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians.
He said: “He (Dhoni) was a bowler's captain. I strongly believe that a bowler should have a captain who understands him.
“A lot of bowlers praise Dhoni because of the dimensions he gives you, things that he helps you with like placing the field, keeping your mind clear which are important when you play high-intensity games.”
