As the current season of the Indian Premier League is just hours away to get kickstarted in no way less than to its classy style in the United Arab Emirates, all eyes are eagerly waiting to watch the opening match between the champions and most particularly, the fans are fervently waiting for Dhoni's play, as he would be playing the game for the first time since he announced his retirement from International Cricket.
In the opening match, Dhoni's army would be battling against the defending champions, the hitman's fleet in Abu Dhabi on September 19, and being such a perfect opener for the season, the spotlight would be on the Arab city as the millions of fans in India are getting ready for the spectacular game between the rivals. This would be the first game for Chennai skipper MS Dhoni since the semi-final of the World Cup last year.
Being the successful and remarkable captain for India, Dhoni had on August 15 announced his retirement from the International Cricket amid the training session of the Chennai Super Kings in Chennai. Though it had shocked many, it also stirred the concerns on his preparedness and readiness to lead the team in the IPL 2020, which has been much anticipated season in the middle of the COVID-19 outbreak.
For those who had a second thought on whether the legendary captain is ready for the IPL, the statement from Chennai Super Kings Head Coach Stephen Fleming would be answering their concerns. During an interview on the team's website on Friday, Fleming said that Dhoni is in top shape and ready to lead the team in the current season of the IPL.
Fleming said, "It has been no different and he's very fit and mentally he's been very engaged and determined. In some ways, the break can work for the experienced and older players that we have. MS is fresh and ready to go". The battle is going to be hard between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians as they would be resuming their rivalry.
Last year's IPL had a thrilling end after Mumbai Indians had defeated Chennai Super Kings at the finals by one run and Dhoni's army is now hoping to pay back the defending champions and Men in Yellow have been levied with the huge expectation to lift the trophy for the fourth time and it's obvious that it is going to be a tough task for Chennai in beating Mumbai than the novel coronavirus.
Stephen Fleming added, "We have got experienced players and these players would identify key times and that's why they have done so well in their careers, that they can turn games, absorb pressure or just sum out the situation and that's what experience is about and that's why we value it so highly".
The first match would go live at 7.30 pm Indian Standard Time on September 19 and these two teams have been accredited as the successful teams in the wealthiest cricket league and packed with significant players and game-changers, making them really look up to. Apart from Dhoni, the fleet of lions has Australian Smasher Shane Watson, Caribbean mamba Dwayne Bravo, and 'Parashakti Express' Imran Tahir as some of the notable players.
CSK is the prominent and most consistent team in the history of IPL and the Dhoni's army had qualified for the playoffs in all their ten seasons, reached the final eight times, and etched their victory three times.
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