MS Dhoni, CSK
Image: BCCI

MS Dhoni is all set to end his exile next month as he is confirmed to play the upcoming IPL season for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He has remained tight-lipped on his retirement for more than six months now but CSK’s owner, N Srinivasan had already confirmed that Dhoni would be playing the next season of the league. In fact, he also confirmed that Dhoni will stay with CSK for IPL 2021 as well.

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While the fans continue to wait for Dhoni, he is all set to kick off preparations for IPL 2020 with full-fledged training from March 1. As per a report in The New Indian Express, Dhoni will be joining CSK’s training camp on March 1. Most of the players are also expected to join the camp soon.

Their vice-captain Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu and Murali Vijay have already joined the camp but all eyes will be on Dhoni once he arrives in Chennai. He has had participated in a couple of practice sessions so far with his state team but that weren’t full-fledged sessions.

At CSK camp, Dhoni will be taking part in training sessions on a regular basis to make himself ready for the rigorous schedule of IPL.

Dhoni hasn’t played any competitive match since July 2019. After the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, he made himself unavailable for the West Indies tour. The former India captain was expected to return for South Africa and Bangladesh series but he remained absent.

IPL 2020: MS Dhoni To Join Chennai Super Kings Training Camp On March 1 1
MS Dhoni. Credits: AP

It was later sort of confirmed that Dhoni will not play international cricket till IPL. He has the backing of team management as India head coach Ravi Shastri has already said that Dhoni will be part of T20 World Cup squad if he does well in IPL.

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KL Rahul has been doing wicketkeeping job quite effectively and this might now force the team management to keep Dhoni away. There can also be a case when he might himself announce retirement from international cricket after IPL.

The 13th edition of the T20 league is likely to start on March 29. Chennai Super Kings might play the season-opener against defending champions Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium.