MS Dhoni hits the nets at Chepauk ahead of IPL 2020; fans gather to watch him bat

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League is just a few weeks away and the euphoria is already starting to kick-in. One of the biggest attractions of this edition of the cash-rich league will undoubtedly be Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The three-time ICC Trophy and IPL winner, Dhoni hasn’t played any competitive game since India’s 2019 semi-final exit at the hands of New Zealand and the upcoming IPL will be the first time that the former captain will be back on a cricket field.

That Dhoni is a cult figure who has a near ‘God’ status in Chennai for the way he has led the franchise over the years. So-much-so, that the cricket fanatics from Chennai even throng to the stadium during Dhoni’s practice session.

Dhoni is back at the Chepauk to take part in the Chennai Super Kings pre-training camp and as expected, multiple fans thronged to the stadium to catch a glimpse of their ‘Thala’ during his net session.

The official Twitter account of the Chennai Super Kings shared the video and captioned it as: “A grand waltz to take guard! #StartTheWhistles #SuperTraining.”

A grand waltz to take guard! #StartTheWhistles #SuperTraining 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/tQbDqqnmT2

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 2, 2020

IPL 2020  will be crucial for MS Dhoni’s international comeback

Dhoni has not played an international game since the 2019 World Cup and the team management-led by head coach Ravi Shastri- and the national selectors have since then given mixed signals as far as the former captains’ future is concerned.

Shastri has time and again asserted that Dhoni might come into the reckoning, provided he has a good season for the Chennai Super Kings. But, on the other hand, MSK Prasad has repeated frequently that they have moved on from Dhoni.

“Exactly what I wanted to ask you. There is an IPL coming. Uske baad tum Dekho. Everyone will know. (Then you’ll see. Everyone will know) He will know, selectors will know, the captain will know to see him, and more important than anything else he will know. What I’m trying to tell the people is he is the last person to impose himself on anything. You know him. I know him,” Shastri had said earlier.

Meanwhile, Dhoni will be looking to lead his side to another titular heist and hopefully avenge the heartbreaking defeat that they suffered at the hands of Mumbai Indians last year.