IPL 2020: Stephen Fleming Confirms MS Dhoni Is Fit, Engaged, And Determined To Play

Chennai Super Kings’ coach Stephen Fleming is perhaps one of the most durable and successful ones in the IPL. Stephen Fleming has served as the coach of the franchise for quite some time now and his partnership with skipper MS Dhoni has taken the team to new heights. Ahead of the upcoming edition, the former Kiwi skipper has asserted that MS Dhoni is fit and raring to go.

Also Read: IPL 2020: Aakash Chopra Names Five Youngsters To Watch Out For

Saturday’s opening game of IPL against the Mumbai Indians will be MS Dhoni’s first competitive game in more than a year. He retired from international cricket last month after staying away from the Indian team since the 2019 World Cup semi-final. While some rustiness is expected, the 39-year old would not take much time to get back to his best. He boasts of a strike rate of 140 in more than 170 games.

Stephen Fleming affirmed that like the previous seasons, MS Dhoni is fit, engaged, determined, and is ready to go. He reckons that the long break has done a world of good for an experienced and old player like him.

“It has been no different. He’s very fit and mentally he’s been very engaged and determined. In some ways, the break can work for the experienced and older players that we have. MS is fresh and ready to go,” Stephen Fleming stated as quoted by Sports.Ndtv.

“It’s nice to have another crack at MI” : Stephen Fleming

The 47-year old said that the first game of IPL is full of nerves and excitement and the clash against Mumbai Indians has further made it so. Fleming conceded it is nice to have another crack at the defending champions and hailed them as an excellent team, who gives a gauge about the areas of improvement. Hence, every outfit gets a correct picture of where it stands.

“The first game is always full of anxiety, nerves, and excitement, and CSK-MI has added extra excitement and pressure and we enjoy that. We’ve earned the right to play the first game by playing well last year, and given the way the final finished last year, it’s nice to have another crack at MI. They are a very good side and it gives you a good gauge as to how the pre-season has gone and the areas that need improvement. You get a good idea after the first game as to where your team is sitting,” the Christchurch-born added.

Also Read: Chris Lynn Heaps High Praise On ‘World Class’ Rohit Sharma