Former Indian captain MS Dhoni landed in Chennai on Thursday, March 2 for the preparation of the upcoming season of the Indian T20 League. Dhoni will be leading the four-time cash-rich league champion Chennai probably for the last time as he might announce his retirement from the franchise league as well.
The 16th edition of the league will kick off on March 31 and Dhoni will be joining his teammates at the MA Chidambaram Stadium for the training camp. The Chennai-based franchise didn’t have an impressive season last year as they ended up in the 9th position in the points table.
I’ve been working hard with the physios: Ben Stokes
However, in the 16th edition, Chennai’s fortune might get turned as many new faces will be seen playing for the franchise. England’s star allrounder and Test skipper Ben Stokes was the biggest name in the auction and Chennai were successful to secure his services for the upcoming season.
However, it was some speculations that the star allrounder might be missing the grand league as he is dealing with a lingering knee problem. He was also struggling to bowl against New Zealand in the recently concluded Test series. But, in the post-match conference of the second Test match against the Kiwis, Stokes declared that he will join Chennai. Stokes was bought by the franchise at a whopping price of INR 16.5 crores and will be having a huge responsibility on his shoulder during the tournament.
“I’m going to the Indian T20 League. I’ve 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. I’m not going to lie, it’s incredibly frustrating knowing something has been holding me back from performing as I’d like to. I’ve been working hard with the physios and the medics trying to get myself to a place where I can fulfill my role as I have done for the last 10 years..”
Here’s how fans reacted:
— The new Bharat Army (@vaspar78) March 3, 2023
Baap of chokbd haa arrived @GodVilliers17
— Harshit 2.0 🇮🇳 (@AnonymityVirus) March 2, 2023
Haarne ki itni bhi kya jaldi hai 😭
— Vikky 🏏 (@CricVikky) March 2, 2023
3 world cup winning captain 🙏
— VISHAL 🇮🇳 (@vishal37761809) March 2, 2023
Official baap of Vadapav MI🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻
— Ronit Sharma (@RonitSh26934132) March 2, 2023
You are creating hype for a player who has no overseas century in 15 years he played
— ⚡Popa⚡ (@Viratian_beast) March 2, 2023
— leo 🦁 (@sananth_18) March 2, 2023
Big blow to csk pic.twitter.com/t0EexJuDOS
— 彡ꜱᴛᴀɴ.ᴀʙᴅ彡 (@standevillers) March 2, 2023
