Hyderabad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni has recently retired from international cricket. He is now ready to lead the Chennai Super Kings in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League, starting on Saturday. Dhoni will be back on the field to play competitive cricket for the first time after 437 days on September 19 when last year's champions Mumbai Indians will take on runners-up Chennai Super Kings at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.
The 39-year-old former Indian skipper brought the curtains down on his 16-year-long illustrious, trophy-laden career on August 15 this year. He opted for Instagram to hang his blue jersey. Dhoni was on a one and a half year-long sabbatical after India's 2019 World Cup semi-final defeat to New Zealand in July.
As he is coming back after a long break, there were concerns over his readiness for the high-intensity T20 league, IPL, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates as the COVID-19 pandemic swept over every nook and corner of India.
"It has been no different," said CSK coach and former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming on Friday, adding that, "He (Dhoni) is very fit and mentally he's been very engaged and determined."
Fleming feels the long break may come handy for an experienced and seasoned cricketer like MS Dhoni. Hence, Fleming is expecting to see a fresh Dhoni play in the IPL 2020.
This is the first time an entire season of IPL will be played in the UAE.
IPL 2020 kick-off will be a repeat of last year's final, which the MI won by one run against CSK.
Three-time champions CSK did not have an ideal preparation for the UAE IPL with two of their players testing positive for the COVID-19. However, coach Fleming felt the squad had dealt with the challenge well.
Adjusting to the conditions in the Emirates also means the 2020 edition of the cash-rich T20 league will be tactical “very different” and Fleming is banking on the wealth of experience in his side to adapt to the UAE environment.
Apart from Dhoni, the Chennai side also boasts of experienced campaigners like Australian Shane Watson, Dwayne Bravo of Windies and Pakistan-born South African Imran Tahir.
“We’ve got experienced players, and experienced players identify key times and that’s why they’ve done so well in their careers, that they can turn games, absorb pressure or just sum out the situation,” Fleming said.
“That’s what experience is about and that’s why we value it so highly.”
On Saturday when Dhoni will take the field after a long hiatus all eyes will be on him, hoping him to create a storm.
