IPL 2021: Cheteshwar Pujara and CSK's new recruits receive jersey from MS Dhoni

On Wednesday, Chennai Super Kings had a special ceremony for their new recruits. The event was held in Mumbai in the presence of the captain of the franchise, MS Dhoni. CSK will open their campaign with a match against Delhi Capitals on April 10th in Mumbai. 

The latest recruits by the franchise like Cheteshwar Pujara, Moeen Ali, and Krishnappa Gowtham were handed over the new CSK jersey. The trio received its official kit from the franchise leader MS Dhoni. The tradition of the new recruits getting their jerseys from the captain has been long followed at the franchise.

Cheteshwar Pujara will be returning to the Indian Premier League after not being a part of any team since 2015. His last stint was with Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2014. The Indian batsman uploaded a post on social media to thank CSK and captain MS Dhoni for getting welcomed at the franchise. Team Chennai has been conducting their preparation camps in Mumbai, where they are scheduled to play their first five matches. 

Looking forward to a great season ahead: Cheteshwar Pujara 

“Excited and honoured to receive the official kit from @msdhoni bhai and the @ChennaiIPL family! Looking forward to a great season ahead,” Pujara wrote in the caption of the picture which he uploaded on social media. Head coach Stephen Fleming was also seen in the picture as well while Dhoni handed the new jersey to the new players. Robin Uthappa, who was traded in from Rajasthan Royals ahead of the auction was also a part of the ceremony. 

Excited and honoured to receive the official kit from @msdhoni bhai and the @ChennaiIPL family! Looking forward to a great season ahead 👍🏼#famlove #fresher #whistlepodu pic.twitter.com/XfIkzgye54

— cheteshwar pujara (@cheteshwar1) April 7, 2021

Putting our paws together in welcoming freshers into the #SuperFam! #WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁 💛 pic.twitter.com/Noym2hbFB1

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 7, 2021

CSK had their worst season of all-time in the 2020 IPL. Having qualified to the final four in each of the seasons before that, Chennai failed to make it to the playoffs. They ended as the seventh-ranked team in the 2020 season. Coming into this year’s IPL, the franchise has added some new players. They will also have the services of Suresh Raina, who missed the previous season due to personal reasons.

Apart from Pujara, Ali, and Gowtham, CSK bought three more players at the auction of IPL 2021. Young Indian talents Harishankar Reddy, Bhagath Varma, and Hari Nishanth were bought by the franchise. But, all eyes will be on the fact whether Pujara, regarded as a Test match specialist, will get a chance in the IPL or not.