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MS Dhoni (Source - Twitter)
The Chennai-based franchise would like to forget the poor performance of last year and start the 16th edition of the Indian T20 League in a positive way. The 2023 season is scheduled to start on 31st March. Chennai will be locking horns with Gujarat in the opener.
Ahead of the tournament, former Australian legendary cricketer Matthew Hayden raised big questions about Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Chennai. Hayden reckons that Dhoni is becoming older and needs key players in his team, which are missing right now.
“They have had this for a little is that they're kind of a Dad's Army - a tagline that they seem to have received. This year is a little bit the same as well. MS Dhoni is of an age like Ambati Rayudu where they really need to be key players, not just have the potential as leaders of the team. So those two key players in particular, with that age of their side, is it going to be experienced or is it going to be a decline of Chennai-based franchise?” Hayden said in Star Sports.
Ben Stokes joined Chennai for Indian T20 League 2023
Chennai displayed a very embarrassing performance in the 2022 season, having managed to win only 4 out of 14 matches. Chennai suffered defeats in 10 matches and finished at the 9th position on the points table. The Men in Yellow would be keen to bounce back in the upcoming season and claim their fifth title.
The four-time champions made some new and great additions to their squad in the mini-auction held in December last year. Ben Stokes was the biggest addition to the squad as he was signed at a whopping price of INR 16.25 crore. However, it was reported, recently, that he might miss the entire season but after the 2nd test against New Zealand, he made it clear that he will be available.
“I am going to the Indian T20 League. I have had conversations with ‘Flem’ and he’s fully aware of the situation with my body. It’s a week-by-week case at the moment,” Stokes said after the 2nd Test in Wellington.