The Dhoni-led franchise is very much back in training mode after a week's delay due to quarantine of their members who tested positive for coronavirus. To add to the woes of the franchise, two of their star players in Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh pulled out of the tournament.
A week since commencing their intense training sessions to prepare hard for the IPL 2020, Chennai Super Kings players took part in their first shoot of the season while maintaining strict social distancing norms during a glitz and glamour affair away from the green turf.
"The first shoot of the season kicks-off in the n...e...w... n...o...r...m...a...l... #WhistlePodu #Yellove," CSK wrote on Twitter. Skipper Dhoni could be seen in a new look with a black beard. He changed his look a number of times during the lockdown and looked unrecognisable on a few occasions. Check out glimpses from CSK's first shoot
It is notable that the CSK players were subject to heavy criticism for violating the social distancing norms while they were on the plane to Chennai. They broke the social distancing norms and also removed their masks for a selfie. This time, the players can be seen strictly adhering to the rules.
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CSK will be taking on defending champions Mumbai Indians in the tournament opener at the Abu Dhabi on September 19. CSK has been one of the most successful team's in IPL history
The upcoming season will also mark the return of one of the league's greatest cricketers in MS Dhoni, who was took a self imposed break post India's shocking exit at the 2019 ICC World Cup semifinal against New Zealand The former Indian world cup winning skipper had announced his retirement from international cricket on Independence Day.