IPL 2020: 'Dhoni Is Simply Unfazed By Anything,' CSK Owner Hails Captain Cool Amid Tough Times

Even before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have suffered setbacks. While other teams have begun training in the UAE, the three-time champions CSK will have to wait before they can hit the grounds after 13 members from their camp tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a press release from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) through IPL, CSK have been asked to remain in quarantine for more days, and the team will only be allowed to enter the bio-secure bubble and begin their training only after everyone gets a negative result.

In addition to that, their key player Suresh Raina pulled out of the tournament and has returned to India. Raina, who has been associated with CSK since the maiden edition in 2008, has made an important place in the team over the years and has earned the nickname "Chinna Thala" (second in command) to skipper MS Dhoni or "Thala" (leader).

With 5,368 runs in 189 innings at 137.14, Raina is the second-highest run-getter in the IPL, after Virat Kohli, who has accumulated 5,412 runs so far. Raina’s highest score in the league is an unbeaten 100, which is also his lone century in the tournament. The CSK star batsman also happens to be the most-capped player in the history of IPL with 193 matches under his belt, three ahead of his CSK captain Dhoni.

In a conversation with an Indian publication Outlook, CSK owner N. Srinivasan has said that he has been assured by Dhoni that the situation is under control and that there is nothing to worry about.

"I spoke to MS (Dhoni) and he has assured me that even if the numbers go up, there was nothing to worry. He spoke to the players through a zoom call and asked them to remain safe. You really don't know who is a passive carrier," Srinivasan said.

Srinivasan has also added that Dhoni’s calmness has kept the unit intact and is giving a lot of confidence to the other players ahead of the IPL 2020, which is scheduled to begin on Sept. 19.

"I have got a solid captain. Dhoni is simply unfazed by anything. That is giving everyone in the team a lot of confidence," Srinivasan added in the same interview.