IPL 2019: MS Dhoni doubtful in clash of table toppers
CHENNAI: At the business end of the league stage when most teams are caught up in a frenetic rush to make the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Delhi Capitals (DC) have different priorities. They have already qualified for the playoffs with eight wins each, and will be eyeing another win here in order to claim a top-two berth and get two cracks at making the final.
CSK, though, will have their task cut out, considering the cloud of doubt that hangs over the availability of MS Dhoni. The skipper missed the last game against Mumbai Indians due to fever and has been absent from training for the last couple of days. He had given the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad a couple of weeks back a miss too citing back spasms, and on both occasions, CSK have been found wanting.
"Dhoni is progressing. He’s been pretty sick during this week. We will take a call on him tomorrow," CSK coach Stephen Fleming told reporters on Tuesday.
After the loss to Mumbai, Fleming had conceded that a Dhoni-shaped hole is impossible to plug. While he reiterated that he also knows that they will have to find a way regardless. It is certainly time for the other experienced players like Suresh Raina, Kedar Jadhav and Ambati Rayudu to step up.
Delhi, in what is a refreshing change meanwhile, don’t have too many concerns. They have been a breath of fresh air this season, relying on a combination of youthful exuberance and some wise old heads that include coach Ricky Ponting and advisor Sourav Ganguly.
While skipper Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant have taken up the responsibility on their young shoulders, the experienced Shikhar Dhawan has been crucial at the top.
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IPL SCHEDULE | IPL POINTS TABLE
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CSK, though, will have their task cut out, considering the cloud of doubt that hangs over the availability of MS Dhoni. The skipper missed the last game against Mumbai Indians due to fever and has been absent from training for the last couple of days. He had given the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad a couple of weeks back a miss too citing back spasms, and on both occasions, CSK have been found wanting.
When they take the field at Chepauk[8] on Wednesday, it will be imperative for them to arrest the slide of losing three of their last four matches.
"Dhoni is progressing. He’s been pretty sick during this week. We will take a call on him tomorrow," CSK coach Stephen Fleming told reporters on Tuesday.
After the loss to Mumbai, Fleming had conceded that a Dhoni-shaped hole is impossible to plug. While he reiterated that he also knows that they will have to find a way regardless. It is certainly time for the other experienced players like Suresh Raina, Kedar Jadhav and Ambati Rayudu to step up.
Delhi, in what is a refreshing change meanwhile, don’t have too many concerns. They have been a breath of fresh air this season, relying on a combination of youthful exuberance and some wise old heads that include coach Ricky Ponting and advisor Sourav Ganguly.
While skipper Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant have taken up the responsibility on their young shoulders, the experienced Shikhar Dhawan has been crucial at the top.
[1][2][3][4][7]
References
- ^ Indian Premier League (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- ^ IPL (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- ^ Chennai Super Kings (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- ^ Delhi Capitals (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- ^ IPL SCHEDULE (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- ^ IPL POINTS TABLE (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- ^ MS Dhoni (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- ^ Chepauk (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
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