With the World T20 lined up immediately after the IPL, MS Dhoni will be taking a big gamble by playing today
With the World T20 lined up immediately after the IPL, MS Dhoni will be taking a big gamble by playing today
It will be kind of Indian Premier League's big test today. The focus is on Chennai Super Kings as they have a tough call to take on the fitness of their skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for their game against Mumbai Indians at the Brabourne Stadium.
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Chennai Super Kings' skipper MS Dhoni during a training session at the Cricket Club of India yesterday. Pic/Shadab Khan |
Given that they are under a bit of pressure to arrest the slide after three losses in five games, there is a chance of CSK feeling tempted to take a chance with their talismanic skipper. But, here's where the maturity of the franchise and the tournament organisers will come in.
In Dhoni's case, the stakes are much higher than IPL. Along with Sachin Tendulkar, he's the most prized commodity in Indian cricket.
With the ICC World Twenty20 starting immediately after the IPL, utmost care will have to be taken by the Indian cricket board to have the Indian captain fit and firing.
Dhoni is coming back from an injury which he suffered during their second IPL game against Kolkata Knight Riders where he took a blow on his right arm from Shane Bond. He missed the next three games, two of which they have lost. With three defeats in five games, CSK are facing the heat. Even though there is a long way to go, today's game is crucial because they are facing an in-form Mumbai Indians at home.
Yesterday he had his first net session since the break. He looked rusty at the start, lost his stumps quite a few times early on. He then asked the CSK physio to loosen the crepe bandage. He batted more freely after it and was quickly in his groove. He batted for nearly 40 minutes, at the end of which he was going for his lofted, big hits.
The big question is, will he play today?
