Dhoni's CSK leave for Mumbai to continue IPL preparations

The team, led by skipper M S Dhoni, will be based in Mumbai for a month.

CSK will play their first five matches in Mumbai --against Delhi Capitals (April 10), Punjab Kings (April 16), Rajasthan Royals (April 19), Kolkata Knight Riders (April 21) and Royal Challengers, Bangalore (April 25)--before moving to Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata for the rest of the league matches.

All matches of IPL-14 will be played at neutral venues, with the playoffs and final set to be held in Ahmedabad between May 25 and 30.

The CSK team began their pre-season preparatory camp involving available players at Chepauk from March eight, with M S Dhoni leading the way.

“The players felt the fortnight-long camp was very beneficial. We also had four or five days of open nets,” CSK CEO KS Viswanathan said in a release here.

The CSK signed off the 2020 edition in the UAE with three wins on the trot to complete their league engagements with six victories in 14 matches.

“After the previous season, Dhoni told us that he will reach Chennai in March to prepare for the 2021 edition. True to his word, he was here,” the CEO added, hailing the talismanic captain’s commitment and focus.

CSK is one of the most consistent teams in IPL history, having qualified for the Playoffs in 10 of their 11 seasons, reached the final eight times and lifted the trophy thrice.

“We are very confident that the team will do well this season given the kind of replacements that we’ve got and the preparations so far,” Viswanathan said.

CSK picked six players at the auction in February, headlined by off-spin bowling all-rounders Moeen Ali and Krishnappa Gowtham, after trading top order batsman Robin Uthappa from Rajasthan Royals.