IPL 2020: MS Dhoni is ‘very fit, determined’, says coach Stephen Fleming

Dubai: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) coach Stephen Fleming said captain MS Dhoni is “determined” and “ready to go” for the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) which begins today (September 19) in the UAE. CSK will face Mumbai Indians (MI) in the opener in Abu Dhabi.

<p>On August 15, Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket. Today’s match will be his first competitive game since the last year’s World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in July.</p>

On August 15, Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket. Today’s match will be his first competitive game since the last year’s World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in July.

<p>Fans are eagerly waiting to see their “Thala” back in action for CSK. During training, Dhoni has looked fit and was also seen smashing sixes.</p>

Fans are eagerly waiting to see their “Thala” back in action for CSK. During training, Dhoni has looked fit and was also seen smashing sixes.

<p>Ahead of their first game, Fleming was asked about Dhoni and this is what he had to say to CSK’s official website.</p>

Ahead of their first game, Fleming was asked about Dhoni and this is what he had to say to CSK’s official website.

<p>“It has been no different. He’s very fit and mentally he’s been very engaged and determined. In some ways the break can work for the experienced and older players that we have. MS is fresh and ready to go,” the New Zealander said.</p>

“It has been no different. He’s very fit and mentally he’s been very engaged and determined. In some ways the break can work for the experienced and older players that we have. MS is fresh and ready to go,” the New Zealander said.

<p>On the new season of IPL, he said, “I see this season going to be very different tactically. With no real home ground advantage here, we’ve got to be very good at adapting to the conditions in each ground. We’ve got three different grounds to assess and each ground has its own character and nuances and we’ve just got to be good enough to pick the right team and get the right game plan to match that. It’s like every game is an away game.”</p>

On the new season of IPL, he said, “I see this season going to be very different tactically. With no real home ground advantage here, we’ve got to be very good at adapting to the conditions in each ground. We’ve got three different grounds to assess and each ground has its own character and nuances and we’ve just got to be good enough to pick the right team and get the right game plan to match that. It’s like every game is an away game.”