Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed surprise at CSK’s skipper’s new training regime ahead of the IPL which is all set to begin on the 19th of September. MS Dhoni never practices wicketkeeping in the nets but this time it was different. A video of Chennai Super Kings training was posted which saw him keeping the wickets in the nets. Pathan reckons that this is happening maybe due to his absence from cricket for over a year.
“We have seen a new visual where we have seen MS Dhoni keeping the wickets. This never happens, this is something new for me because I have played cricket for so many years with him, whether it is for the Indian team or in the league with CSK, I have never seen him keeping wickets,” Pathan told Star Sports “So this is because he has not played cricket for a long time. I guess there was some leg-spinner bowling, so he may be trying to check the new bowlers but it is good to see that he is doing keeping during practice.” He added.
Dhoni last played any form of cricket in July which was the semifinal of the World Cup against New Zealand which did not end well for the Indian side. On 15th August he announced his retirement from international cricket via an Instagram post. CSK will be playing the opener against Mumbai Indians who are the defending champions. With Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh missing from the season, the skipper has taken on extra responsibilities.
“Absolutely, this had to happen. And these are good visuals because there has been some disruption in Chennai Super Kings after the withdrawal of two players with Suresh Raina coming back and Harbhajan Singh not playing,” Pathan said. “So, it is good news that practice has started and it is not a surprise that fans have reached there to see MS Dhoni. This has is happening for so many years and it is not a shock that it is happening now also. COVID is there but still, fans have reached there to watch MS Dhoni.”
