MS Dhoni (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)
New Delhi: When will MS Dhoni return? When will he play his next match? When will he return to the Chennai Super Kings jersey? The questions continue to mount every time CSK takes to the field.Dhoni was ruled out for two weeks before the team’s opening match of the season.
However, there is still no clarity on his return, as the veteran is yet to feature this season due to a calf strain.All eyes were on the CSK captain
Ruturaj Gaikwad
As he walked out to bowl the toss at a packed MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, with fans eagerly waiting for Dhoni’s update.Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel won the toss and elected to bowl.“We like to bowl first because the pitch looks good, and whatever score is scored, we prefer to chase it.
IPL is a long tournament and the dressing room atmosphere is very relaxed. The discussion was about focusing on what we can control, so that once we get to a certain point, there is no need to overthink things. That was the mentality, control what is in our hands. The mood is good. “If you look at the balance on our side, we have almost covered all the bases,” Axar said during the toss.“Obviously, based on the options available to us, I think we chose a very good combination.
Compared to last year, the team looks more balanced and we hope to perform well today. As for the surface, it has been a good batting wicket this season. Over the last two years in Chennai, I have played well. It’s red soil, so there should be good bounce. Our goal will be to restrict them to the lowest possible level and then hunt them down.
There are two changes. Nabi replaces Vibraj, and Ashutosh Sharma replaces Nitish Rana.”When Ruturaj took the microphone, the CSK fans greeted him with a loud roar. Ravi Shastri quizzed him about the draw, team composition and the big question about Dhoni.“The field looks a bit on the drier side. We were actually tied 50-50, but it’s good to back ourselves. The goal is to give our best today, get the first win and move up in the points table. That’s what we have been trying for the last two games as well,” Ruturaj said.“As I mentioned in the press conference, we’ve improved in all departments. The batting performance was really good, we just missed some big moments, and those are the areas we need to capitalize on. But overall, everyone is in a good space and really raring to go. When you look at the balance of the team, we’re definitely playing to the best of our ability. It’s great to have Preves back, he’s motivated and ready.”
The middle order also looks strong. “We have also brought in Gurjapaneet Singh, who has been playing well recently, in place of Matt Edwards,” he said.
“For those asking about MS Dhoni, he is in the hotel watching us and supporting us. But yes, very soon, you will see him on the ground,” he added.the difference:Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Sanju Samson (W), Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Aayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dubey, Dewald Preves, Jimmy Overton, Noor Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapanet Singh, Khaleel Ahmed.Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (W), Samir Rizvi, Axar Patel (C), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Aqib Nabi Dar, Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar.Here are the effective substitutes for both teams:Delhi Capitals Impact Subs: Viraj Nigam, Ashutosh Sharma, Karun Nair, Dushmantha Chameera, Nitish Rana.Chennai Super Kings Impact Subs: Matthew Short, Akhil Hossain, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Vir, Matt Henry.