IPL: MS Dhoni-led CSK, reigning champions Mumbai Indians leave for UAE

Chennai: The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Friday left for Dubai from Chennai for prepare for the remaining leg of IPL 2021 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The three-time IPL champions shared a black and white picture of captain MS Dhoni seen with a suitcase at the airport. “Get ready folks!” CSK tweeted. Dhoni had arrived in Chennai on Tuesday with the franchise posting a picture with the caption as ‘Lion Day Entry.’

Chennai Super Kings also shared pictures of Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Deepak Chahar, Karn Sharma and KM Asif waiting at the airport to board the flight to Dubai.

After retiring from international cricket on August 15 last year, Dhoni and Raina now only plays in the IPL though the latter appeared in a few Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 matches for Uttar Pradesh.

Chennai Super Kings will be back in action when the UAE leg of the IPL resumes on September 19 against Mumbai Indians in Dubai.

Earlier in the day, defending champions Mumbai Indians also departed for Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE.

The second half of the IPL 2021 will be held in UAE after the outbreak of COVID-19 in various team bubbles at Ahmedabad and New Delhi.

Chennai is currently at second place in the points table with 10 points from seven matches.

Mumbai Indians depart

Mumbai: Mumbai Indians, the reigning champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), have left for Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE ahead of the resumption of IPL 2021.

The franchise shared a picture through its Instagram handle on Friday, showing talent scout R Vinay Kumar in the flight with the caption as ‘Abu Dhabi bound’.

They also posted a video of off-spinner Jayant Yadav in full travel gear with caption as “Off we go! The countdown has begun.”

Earlier, the BCCI had announced that the remainder of IPL 2021, halted in May due to the second wave of COVID-19 in India, will be held in UAE from September 19.

The Indian members of the team are amongst the first ones to leave for UAE on Friday. Post quarantine, the team will begin their pre-season camp in Abu Dhabi.

The franchise for the last two weeks had organised a preparatory camp for the domestic players at the Jio Stadium inside Reliance Corporate Park in Ghansoli.

After undergoing a mandatory quarantine period, the players started their training with special facilities and setup available keeping in mind the monsoon season in Mumbai.

Mumbai is all set to resume their campaign in a blockbuster clash against Chennai Super Kings on September 19 in Dubai.

The five-time IPL winners are seated fourth in the points table with Delhi Capitals on top.

Overall, 13 matches will be held in Dubai. Sharjah will host 10 matches while Abu Dhabi will host eight matches.

(IANS)