MS Dhoni (Image credit: BCCI/IPL) NEW DELHI: When will MS Dhoni return? When will he play his next match? When will he be back in Chennai Super Kings jersey? Questions multiply every time CSK takes the field.Dhoni was ruled out for two weeks just before the team’s opening match of the season. However, his return is still unclear as the veteran is yet to play this season due to a calf strain.All eyes were on CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad as he walked out for the toss at a packed MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, where fans were anxiously waiting for an update on Dhoni.Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel won the toss and opted to field.“We would like to bowl first because the pitch looks good and whatever the score is, we would prefer to chase it down. The IPL is a long tournament and the atmosphere in the dressing room is very relaxed. The discussion was about what we can control, once we reach a certain point, there is no need to think about things. That was the mindset, control of what is on our side, we have almost all the basics in our hands. If you look at what we have in our hands, the basic we’ve got you covered,” Axar said at the throw.“Obviously, based on the options we had, I think we picked a very good combination. Compared to last year, the team looks more balanced and we hope to perform well today. In terms of the surface, it’s been a good wicket this season. It’s played well in Chennai over the last couple of years. It’s our red ground to limit them and have as little bounce as possible.” There are two changes for Vipraj with Ashutosh Sharma replacing Nitish Rana,” he added.When Ruturaj took the microphone, the ČSK fans greeted him with a loud roar. Ravi Shastri asked him about the draw, the team mix and the big question surrounding Dhoni.“The pitch looks a bit on the drier side. We were actually 50-50 in terms of bowling but it’s good to come back. The aim today is to give our best, get the first win and get on the scoreboard. That’s what we’ve been trying to do in the last two matches as well,” Ruturaj said.“As I mentioned in the press conference, we’ve improved in all departments. The batsmen have done really well, it’s just a couple of key moments that we’ve missed and those are the areas we need to capitalize on. But overall, everyone’s in a good space and really raring to go. If you look at the balance of the side, we’re definitely playing to our potential. Brevis looks great, in hindsight it looks great. Oh, and we’ve also brought in Gurjapneet in place of Matt Edwards Singha who has been bowling brilliantly of late.“For those asking about MS Dhoni, he is in the hotel, watching us and supporting us. But yes, you will see him on the ground very soon,” he added.teams:Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Sanju Samson (w), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Khaleel AhmedDelhi Capitals (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul(w), Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel(c), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Auqib Nabi Dar, Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar
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Here are the Impact substitutes for both teams:Delhi Capitals Impact Subs: Vipraj Nigam, Ashutosh Sharma, Karun Nair, Dushmantha Chameera, Nitish RanaChennai Super Kings Impact Subs: Matthew Short, Akeal Hosein, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Matt Henry
