IPL 2020: MS Dhoni Is Fresh And Ready To Go – Stephen Fleming
Sep 18, 2020 at 10:30 PM
Stephen Fleming, the Head Coach of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), believes that their skipper MS Dhoni is very fit and mentally fresh, engaged and determined for the IPL 2020.
The 13th edition of the IPL will begin in less than 24 hours when the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will face CSK at Sharjah Cricket Stadium (Sharjah) on this Saturday (19th September) evening.
The 39-year-old former Indian captain MS Dhoni is ready to lead his IPL team CSK again. However, he hasn’t played any recognised cricket match for more than a year as his last recognised cricket match was the semi-final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 (against New Zealand at Manchester on 10th July 2019). Recently, on 15th August 2020, Dhoni retired from international cricket. But, he is ready to continue his leadership role in the IPL.
MS Dhoni is very fit: Stephen Fleming
Before the beginning of the IPL 2020, Stephen Fleming has confirmed that present MS Dhoni is not any different as his fit mentally and physically.
Fleming said according to CSK’s official website, “It has been no different. 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 top two most successful IPL teams CSK and MI will begin the journey of the much-awaited IPL 2020. While Fleming talks about the excitement of the opening game of any tournament, he believes that CSK vs MI clash adds more spices.
Fleming said about the opening game of the IPL 2020, “The first game is always full of anxiety, nerves, and excitement, and CSK-MI has added extra excitement and pressure and we enjoy that. We’ve earned the right to play the first game by playing well last year, and given the way the final finished last year, it’s nice to have another crack at MI. They are a very good side and it gives you a good gauge as to how the pre-season has gone and the areas that need improvement. You get a good idea after the first game as to where your team is sitting.”
However, CSK lost all their last five meetings against MI, including losing all their four meetings in the IPL 2019.
I think we dealt with it very well: Stephen Fleming about CSK’s fight against COVID-19
Since the IPL teams have landed in the UAE, the CSK have faced more trouble than any other sides. Some of their members, including a few numbers of their players, tested positive for COVID-19. Admitting their initial struggle, Fleming added that they had handled the next situation very well.
He said, “We didn’t get off to a great start, with some positive Covid-19 cases, but I think we dealt with it very well. We were calm around our approach, looked after the players and staff very well, and the rest of the players were calm in the hotel room. There was a bit of anxiety wanting to get out and train. It is what it is, and the players dealt with it very well. On hindsight, the amount of pre-season training that we’ve done up to now, and the extra few days in the room, was probably a blessing.”
However, CSK will miss two crucial Indian players in the entire IPL 2020. These players are Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh as both of them withdrew their names from this tournament due to their personal problems.