MS Dhoni arrives in Chennai; IPL training camp likely to begin from March 9

Former India captain MS Dhoni has reached Chennai for CSK’s training camp likely to begin from March 9. Dhoni arrived in Chennai on Wednesday and will be quarantined for five days.

CSK tweeted a picture of Dhoni at the airport and wrote: “Thalai-Vaa! Smile with the Mass(k) on! Super Night! #DenComing #WhistlePodu #Yellove.”

CSK CEO K S Viswanathan said that the camp is likely to begin from March 9. “Yeah…the camp is likely to start from March 9. Whoever is available would take part in the training sessions,” he told PTI.

“The players will undergo five-day quarantine before they start training. Also, they will have to return three negative tests…,” he added.

A franchise official had earlier confirmed that Dhoni would be attending the camp.

“Yes, we are expecting all players to start coming in batches. Captain MS Dhoni will be available and attending the camp from day one. Players availability should not be an issue. We are very hopeful that the camp will successfully begin and we will strictly follow the same bio-bubble protocol and no additional measures are required to be taken at this stage. We have put in place stringent health and safety protocols for the camp and all the participants will follow mandatory testing,’ a franchise official confirmed to Inside Sport.

CSK faced few problems last year after a number of cricketers including players like Deepak Chahar and Ruturaj Gaikwad were tested positive for COVID-19.

The Kings bought Moeen Ali, Krishnappa Gowtham, Cheteshwar Pujara in the recently-concluded mini auctions in Chennai last month. CSK had a dismal run in the last edition of the IPL after they were knocked out of the tournament in the league stage itself. This was the first time when CSK didn’t make it to the playoffs.

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PSL 6: Quetta breaks the streak as Qais Ahmad’s brilliant spell downs Multan

The Pakistan Super League’ sixth edition’s streak of 'teams chasing and winning the game’ was finally broken after 13 games. It was broken by a team and in a match that nobody believed could happen. Quetta gladiators, who had lost their previous four games even after scoring as high as 198, went on to defend 176 against the Multan Sultans, defeating the Mohammad Rizwan led side by 22 runs. Qais Ahmad was the hero of the game for Quetta with his spell of 3-21 in four overs at the National Stadium in Karachi. Ahmad, 20, was included in the side for the first time after the opening match debacle phenomenal with his variations. The Afghan leggie stopped the flow of runs with his leg break and cunning googlies, causing the batsmen to go for unconventional options, making them commit mistakes, and in turn giving away their wickets. In his four overs, Ahmad got the important scalps of James Vince, Shan Masood and Rilee Rossouw, rightfully claiming the award of Man of the Match. The Sultans started the chase of 177 cautiously with the opening pair of Vince and Rizwan adding 63 runs in the first eight overs. However, after the first breakthrough of Vince, the screws were tightened by Sarfraz Ahmed, as he operated spin from both ends, causing all sorts of discomfort to the Multan side. Mohammad Nawaz bowled well in tandem with Qais, making it difficult for batsmen to free their hands. As pressure mounted, wickets kept falling at regular intervals. With Sohaib Maqsood departing at the end of the 13th over, Rizwan was joined by Khushdil Shah, who did play a few shots, but they were one shot too many. Even after Zahid Mahmood and Dale Steyn conceding 12 and 14 runs respectively in two overs and the game getting back in the balance, the Sultans could not capitalise. When 60 runs were needed from the last five overs, Ahmad bowled a brilliant over, giving just eight runs and building even more pressure on the two batsmen in the middle. Khushdil Shah then got out of a Mohammad Hasnain slower ball. In the same over Hsnain removed Carlos Brathwaite as well, forcing Rizwan, who was batting on 66 to fight a lone battle. Mahmood then came back to bowl the 18th over and picked two wickets, removing Rizwan to put the match firmly in Quetta’ kitty. Mere formalities were left after that as whole Multan were bundled out for 154 in 19.4 overs. Earlier in the evening, as predicted, Multan invited Quetta to bat first after they won the toss. Usman Khan, the debutant for Quetta made full use of the opportunity, scoring a brilliant 81 off 50 balls. In his knock of 81, the 25-year-old right-hander hit 10 fours and three sixes, getting Quetta to a blistering start. However, the big-hitting got subdued as Usman got out and more wickets fell regularly. Courtesy of Mohammad Nawaz’s last over hitting, in which he scored 13 runs, the Gladiators reached 176. With this win, Quetta finally registered themselves on the Points Table, although they are still placed at the bottom. This victory also gave them a lifeline and renewed vigour to face Islamabad in the first match of the doubleheader on March 6. Sultans on the other hand would look to find other ways to win a game when they face Karachi on 5th March.