IPL 2020: MS Dhoni to start preparations from March 3, confirm CSK

MS Dhoni, who is currently not part of the Indian limited-overs teams, will lead Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020)

New Delhi: Mahendra Singh Dhoni will start practicing for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) from March 3-4, Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) CEO Kashi Vishwanathan confirmed on Wednesday (February 26).

The CEO also said that the training camp of CSK will commence only after March 19.

Speaking to ANI, Vishwanathan said, “Dhoni will start practicing from 3rd or 4th March. Those who are available will join the practice with Dhoni. The official camp will commence after March 19.”

IPL 2020 will commence from March 29 and in the first match of the tournament, Chennai Super Kings will take on Mumbai Indians.

Thirty-eight-year-old Dhoni is currently enjoying some time away from the game. He last played competitive cricket during the 2019 World Cup.

Dhoni had to face criticism for his slow batting approach during India's matches in the tournament. Especially in the games against England and New Zealand (semi-final), he had to bear the brunt of netizens, who deemed him as the reason for the Men in Blue's loss.

Earlier this year, Dhoni did not find a place for himself in the BCCI's centrally contracted players list.

BCCI had released the list of central contract list of players for the period from October 2019 to September 2020.