Chennai: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni is all set to return to competitive cricket after almost eight months of absence. The former India skipper last played for India in the WC semi-finals against New Zealand, last year. Dhoni received a heroes welcome as he arrived in the state capital to begin his preparations for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Dhoni is expected to train for a couple of weeks along with team mates Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu among others, PTI reported. The star wicket-keeper batsman will mark his return when CSK will take on the defending champions Mumbai Indias in the opening match of IPL 2020.

CSK's official twitter handle on Monday posted a 59-second video and wrote: "Every goose shall bump with first day first show feels! Just start the whistles!"


Speaking to IANS, CSK CEO K.S. Viswanathan had said: "Dhoni will reach Chennai on March 2 and will start training the next day at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. (Suresh)Raina will also be training with him, but there will be no international player as of now."


The 13th edition of the IPL starts from March 29 with defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on the Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in what will be Dhoni's first game after an eight-month sabbatical.