MS Dhoni to start training for IPL 2020 from March 1

MS Dhoni’s absence from international cricket since India’s semi-final loss in Manchester during the World Cup 2019 has been the subject of intense speculation among fans of the game in recent months.

Though Dhoni’s return to the Indian team is not specified, he will be donning the neon-yellow very soon as he is preparing to return to Chennai Super Kings. The IPL starts next month from March 29, and Dhoni is beginning to prepare for his role from March 1. He will begin training at Chepauk.

A source close to Dhoni told the Times of India, “He is expected to arrive on March 1. He will probably train for a couple of weeks before going back for 4-5 days and then coming back once again closer to the start of the IPL.”

Dhoni has never started preparing for the IPL so early. In all his years playing for the Chennai Super Kings, he has always been busy with his duties towards India and has always joined CSK just prior to the tournament. This time, Dhoni can familiarize himself with some of the newer players in the team and can indulge in a few more off-field activities to acquaint himself with his fellow teammates.

It will be interesting to see Dhoni’s form with the bat, as he has been away from the game for more than six months and has started training with the Jharkhand team only recently. At 38, he cannot be at peak form with the bat, but a break from the game might have recharged his batteries and made him better on the field.

Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu will also be accompanying Dhoni. “Raina and Rayudu had been training here for the last three weeks. They are going back and then joining again on March 2. Players who are available at that time will also join. The official camp starts from March 10,” sources said.