113:Ruturaj Gaikwad left and N Jagadeesan &
Three-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are ready to start their pre-season camp ahead of the much-anticipated IPL 2021. As their preparations are about to kick-off, several Indian cricket stars have arrived in Chennai. While skipper MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu were among the first ones to land in the city, uncapped domestic stars Ruturaj Gaikwad, C Hari Nishanth, Narayan Jagadeesan and R Sai Kishore, joined the senior duo on Thursday. The franchise posted a video of the players' arrival on their social media, with the uncapped stars looking in cheerful mood.
Watch the video here:
Read More: MS Dhoni lands in Chennai to join CSK camp ahead of IPL 2021, picture surfaces (sportstiger.com)
The uncapped stars in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021
The uncapped stars of the Yellow Army featured in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021. While Ruturaj Gaikwad managed to impress with a ton against Himachal Pradesh, it was Sai Kishore whose tight spell against Jharkhand (1/30) has done no harm to his reputation in the camp. Jagadeeshan too began his campaign with a hundred against Punjab. C Hari Nishaanth though, could not quite deliver a stand out performance and managed just 10 runs in the two innings he played this season.
Can the new players add the "spark" CSK lacked in IPL 2020?
After an average IPL season in 2020, the MS Dhoni-led side would be eager to make a brilliant comeback. Knowing the champion that Dhoni is, he would look to not only secure a place in the playoffs but even go on to lift their first title since 2018. CSK has included the likes of Moeen Ali, Krishnappa Gowtham and Cheteshwar Pujara in IPL 2021 auction and would want the new players to provide them the "spark" which seemed to be lacking in their campaign last season.
Although the official schedule of IPL 2021 is yet to be announced, it is likely to get underway in the month of April.