IPL 2022: BIG worries for MS Dhoni’s CSK, defending champs fret over these 2 players

Asked about the availability of last year’s highest run-getter Ruturaj and this year’s Rs 14 crore buy Chahar, CSK CEO Kasi Vishwanathan said their current fitness status is not known.

CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad. (Photo: BCCI/IPL)

The team management of MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is still awaiting the fitness updates of their key players Ruturaj Gaikwad and Deepak Chahar, who had sustained injuries during the white ball series against West Indies last month, CEO Kashi Vishwanathan said on Sunday (March 13). While Ruturaj had a hand injury, Chahar had sustained a hamstring tear which will require him to stay out of action for a minimum of six to eight weeks. Chahar has a high possibility of missing the first phase of IPL, if not the full tournament.

Right now, CSK’s available players have gathered in Surat and are having a camp at the Lalabhai Contractor Stadium, which hosts a lot of games for the Indian women’s team. Asked about the availability of last year’s highest run-getter Ruturaj and this year’s Rs 14 crore buy Chahar, Vishwanathan said: “We are not aware of their current fitness status and won’t be able to tell you when they would join the squad. Obviously, the BCCI has told us that once they are match-fit, they would intimate us. They are at the NCA currently.”

#7 in the spur of the moment!#Yellove #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/97PnRHyEOD — Chennai Super Kings - Mask Pdu Whistle Pdu! (@ChennaiIPL) March 13, 2022

All India players need to be at the NCA and get the clearance certificate after appearing in various fitness tests once the rehabilitation programme is complete. Among those who are also tending to their injuries include Suryakumar Yadav, who has a fractured wrist.

Meanwhile, Dhoni along with the rest of the CSK team have begun training in Surat as they look to defend the IPL crown. However some fans on social media, couldn’t help but notice how ‘out of shape’ Dhoni was looking in the Surat nets.