Watch: MS Dhoni Gets A Hero's Welcome In Chennai Ahead Of IPL 2020

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Monday welcomed their skipper, MS Dhoni, as he landed in the state capital—to begin preparations for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Super Kings’ official Twitter handle had shared a 59-second clip, in which ‘Thala’ Dhoni can be seen going from the Chennai airport to the hotel where CSK will be staying.

Sharing the clip CSK tweeted, “Every goose shall bump with first-day first show feels! Just start the whistles!”

Every goose shall bump with First Day First Show feels! Just #StartTheWhistles! #HomeSweetDen ?? pic.twitter.com/DpQBIqahZe

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 1, 2020

The 37-year-old Dhoni will kick-start his preparations for IPL 2020 from 3rd March, along with his deputy and former Indian player Suresh Raina. This comes after CSK CEO K.S Vishwanathan had earlier revealed Dhoni’s return date in an interview with IANS.

“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,” informed Vishwanathan in his interview.

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MS Dhoni’s set to come out of his sabbatical:

The former Indian skipper’s future has been a major doubt ever since India lost the semifinal in the ODI World Cup 2019, against New Zealand. Dhoni has been on a sabbatical after that, missing all the series for Team India in the build-up to the 13th edition of IPL 2020.

In the meantime, he was also left out of BCCI’s central contract list of players, which was perhaps the final nail in the coffin, the Indian board hinting they have moved on from the Ranchi veteran.

While his time in the national colours may have come to a disappointing close, but ‘Thala’ has returned to his second home, in Chennai, where he is loved and treated like a demigod.

For IPL 2020, Dhoni will start preparations a little over three weeks before other players, which perhaps could be a statement of intent from the former Indian skipper.

Meanwhile, CSK will open their campaign in the inaugural game of IPL 2020, against last season’s finalists and defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI), on March 29, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

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