There’s still more than three weeks left for the second phase of the Indian Premier League(IPL) 2021 to start but MS Dhoni and majority of his teammates have already started their preparations in Dubai.
After completing their mandatory quarantine, the Chennai Super Kings players have started their training. The franchise has been posting videos of the net sessions on their official social media platforms. No points for guessing who is hogging all the limelight. Despite retiring from international cricket, Mahendra Singh Dhoni continues to be the focal point. His fans flock to social media to get a glimpse of their favourite cricketer hitting the bowlers out of the park.
Image :indiatvnews.com
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IPL is the only tournament the 40 year old plays in at the moment. Although, it’s quite natural that his body is not quite capable of doing what it used to do during his peak years. That said, Mahi leaves no stones unturned in getting ready for the big tournament. He spends hours in the gym as well as nets. Since he bats lower down the order, practicing range hitting is his top-most priority ahead of the tournament and he was seen doing just that in a viral video. From pulling a short-pitch delivery over midwicket to charging down the track and hitting the bowler over his head. Dhoni practiced every shot in his book. Even though it’s just practice, watching ‘Thala’ smashing huge sixes was a treat for CSK fans.
However, some of the haters didn’t like what they saw and started criticising the former Indian captain. The former Indian captain flexing his muscles only in the nets while flopping in the actual game. As much as we would like to shut them down, the truth is that their argument holds some ground as Dhoni has struggled to hit sixes, especially in the last couple of seasons. Last year, he cleared the ropes only seven times in 14 matches. While this year he has only smashed one six in seven outings.
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MS Dhoni aims for the fourth title with CSK
CSK is currently placed second on the points table after playing brilliantly in the first half of IPL 2021. Dhoni’s captaincy stood out and his promotion of England all-rounder Moeen Ali at number three was one of the best moves in IPL. Ali played vital knocks in the powerplay and gave the innings much-needed impetus. He also allowed the likes of Sam Curran, Jadeja, and Bravo to flourish in the end.
Apart from that, Dhoni backed Ruturaj Gaikwad after constant criticism of him not performing. With his core group of players in form, CSK are definitely the team to beat in the IPL. They have bagged three titles till now and will be aiming to bag the fourth. With Dhoni also looking in good nick, the signs are ominous for the other teams. CSK kick start their UAE leg of IPL by facing arch-rivals Mumbai Indians on September 19.
