IPL 2021: MS Dhoni takes bowlers to the cleaners in the nets; looks in good touch
All eyes will be on MS Dhoni in the upcoming season of the IPL as the legendary cricketer looks to bounce back after a forgettable campaign in IPL 2020. The cricketing world was expecting fireworks from him in IPL 2020 as he announced his retirement from international cricket just a few days before the start of the tournament.
Dhoni, however, failed to do well not only as a batsman but also as a captain. Chennai Super Kings struggled throughout the tournament and failed to make it to the playoffs for the first time in their history. They could manage only six wins from the 14 league games. The three-time IPL winners finished at the seventh spot in the eight-team competition.
MS Dhoni had faced severe criticism for his captaincy and his team selection. He had also faced criticism for not promoting himself in the batting order in the absence of senior batsman Suresh Raina. Dhoni’s return with the bat was very poor by his standards. He scored exactly 200 runs in 14 games at an average of 25 and a strike rate of 116.27.
MS Dhoni looking in good touch
The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman has not played a competitive game since the conclusion of IPL 2020. But the lack of match practice has seemingly not affected his batting as the CSK skipper looked in red-hot form with the bat during his team’s training session recently. The franchise shared a video on their official Instagram handle, in which Dhoni was seen hitting the ball all around the park.
The veteran batsman was middling every delivery and sending the ball out of the park with ease. He also displayed his wide range of strokes, from lofted shots to drives. The clip ended with Dhoni playing his signature helicopter shot.
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IPL 2021 is scheduled to start on April 9 with a clash between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai. CSK, on the other hand, will play their first match on the next day against last year’s runners-up Delhi Capitals in Mumbai. CSK will play their first few games in Mumbai.
