Super Kings gets back to business

Though it was just a training session for the home franchise, more than 1000 people thronged the venue just to get a glimpse of their superstar Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The spectators were spread across the lower portions of stands C, D and E. 

If a practice session could spring up such an energy among the fans, one will have to watch out for the atmosphere at the Chepauk during Chennai’s first home game against Dinesh Karthik-led Kolkata Knight Riders on April 10. 

Skipper Dhoni, who entered the arena at 6:45 pm, required just three deliveries to send one sailing over point, much to the delight of the crowd who occupied those three stands. He batted alongside new recruit Ambati Rayudu, who was earlier seen training with Dhruv Shorey. 

The former India captain sent a few throwdowns to Shitij Sharma and later had a chat with local lad Narayan Jagadeesan before padding up to have a crack with the bat. 

Shorey had an extended batting session, smashing a few over the ropes occasionally. Dwayne Bravo, who has been asset for the side in the death overs, also had his fair share of training with the bat, taking down leg-spinner Karn Sharma and a few other net bowlers. 

All the uncapped batsmen and bowlers of the side trained under the watchful eyes of batting coach Michael Hussey and bowling consultant Eric Simmons respectively. 

Key players like off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Kedar Jadhav and Ravindra Jadeja, who launched the CSK app earlier in the day, were missing on Monday. Earlier, seasoned campaigner Murali Vijay, who took throwdowns, was the first to get into the groove with the bat, lofting one onto the leg side.