Chennai Super Kings (CSK) was the only Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise to organize a training camp in India before they flew to the UAE last week. MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and other CSK players attended the five-day training camp in Chennai. The other teams were not able to organise the practice sessions in India due to COVID-19 scare but CSK made it possible.
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has revealed that they were in doubt whether the practice session in India would be worth it amid the fear of the infectious virus. However, the skipper MS Dhoni was firm to hold the training camp.
“When we announced the tournament is going to happen, I had reservations about conducting the camp here because the bio-bubble had to be created. In fact, sent a message to him (asking) whether it will be worthwhile having a camp for 5 days before going to Dubai. But the captain was crystal clear in his thoughts,” Viswanathan said in a video uploaded on YouTube by CSK.
MS Dhoni urged to hold training camp:
As the Indian players haven’t played a match since the outbreak of coronavirus, MS Dhoni had clearly told CSK CEO that the team need this five training camp while they will get used to bio-bubble before practicing it in Dubai.
“He (MS Dhoni) said ‘sir, we have not played for nearly 4-5 months. All of us need to get together in Chennai. We should be in a bio-bubble in Chennai so that we get used to that when we land in Dubai’.
Viswanathan is now delighted that they pulled out a successful training camp in Chennai that other franchises were unable to do. As per him, CSK is now ahead of other franchises because of the camp.
“And also it helped in the boys getting in shape. This camp, though we had some reservations, has really helped. I am very happy we were able to host the camp.”
“Now everyone is on the same page. No one has played cricket for 5 months. We all are equal. I think we will be better because we have the experience,” Chahar further added.
CSK team would soon start their preparations in Dubai as the T20 league is set to start from 19th September.