Back injury may force Dhoni to sit out against Royals

The yellow brigade is already struggling with injuries to a number of their key players, including vice-captain Suresh Raina and Faf du Plessis.

With two wins in three matches, CSK would hoping that their captain and the most important cricketer regains his full fitness as soon as possible.

Rayudu has been keeping wickets for Hyderabad in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament and Vijay Hazare Trophy but the possibilities of a surprise inclusion of Tamil Nadu’s Jagadeesan, who is known for his big hitting abilities, cannot be ruled out.

There is a possibility that Dhoni might play only as a batsman, opening the door for N. Jagadeesan to don the big gloves. Or could Ambati Rayudu be given the job as a makeshift ’keeper?

The CSK camp was tight-lipped about Dhoni’s fitness. But his absence from the training session was enough to cast doubt on his availability in their next match against Rajasthan Royals on Friday.

Dhoni has a dual role of keeping and batting in the middle order and with the injury records of CSK in the current season, there are high chances that the team management may not risk him so early into the tournament.

Dhoni played an unbelievable innings of 79 but failed to take CSK over the line the other night. Along with the KXIP bowlers, Dhoni’s back also bore the brunt of the brutal innings.

Dhoni was nowhere to be seen in the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium and it was because of the back injury he suffered in the previous match against Kings XI Punjab.

Apart from the buzz, there was another major aspect missing in CSK’s training session – their leader of the pack – MS Dhoni.

The effects were there for everyone to see on the eve of the practice session of CSK’s first match at their new home ground Pune. The buzz was missing, there were no yellow flags greeting the players.

Unfortunately, the protests regarding the Cauvery water dispute forced the BCCI to shift their home matches to Pune.

Particularly in their home ground Chennai, where a sea of yellow greeted them in their first home match of the season against KKR, which they won in a nail biting last-over finish.

Chennai Super Kings have been the headline makers of IPL 2018 for both the right and wrong reasons. Their two-year absence from the league made no difference to their undisputed popularity across the country.