With IPL 2024 beginning on March 22, Chennai Super Kings do not have long to prepare for the upcoming season. But MS Dhoni-led team is already in a tough spot with injuries and poor form of several first-choice players. Ahead of CSK vs RCB opener at their own backyard MA Chidambaram Stadium, Devon Conway and Shivam Dube are unfit while Ajinkya Rahane has lost his form. All three are crucial players in CSK setup.
Adding more woes, MS Dhoni is also recovering from a knee injury that he suffered last season. He had to undergo surgery during off season.
Devon Conway (injured)
The CSK opener has injured his finger during NZ vs AUS T20. He is missing the 1st New Zealand vs Australia Test. And Conway remains doubtful for the remaining series. As he consults with specialists, Devon Conway remains a doubtful starter in IPL 2024.
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Shivam Dube (Injured)
Another sure-shot starter Shivam Dube is injured. He is on the sidelines with a side strain injury and remains doubtful to start IPL 2024 if not the whole tournament.
Ajinkya Rahane (Out of form)
The former India Test vice-captain was a revelation in IPL 2023 with his blazing knocks that led to his comeback in India test team. However, he is going through a tough time, managing just 115 runs at an average of 11.5 in 10 innings. That his runs tally includes a 56-run knock tells you the form he is in. Considering his form, CSK might want to look at a different option.
MS Dhoni (injured)
The captain of the ship struggled with a knee injury last time. While he has undergone surgery since, with no competitive match, it’s still unclear the state Thala Dhoni is in.
As CSK begin their camp on March 1, it will become clear if Dhoni will be available from the start or he has any discomfort.
Apart from them, Ruturaj Gaikwad has just recovered from injury while Shardul Thakur also struggled with niggles. Ravindra Jadeja has returned to full fitness. However, with T20 World Cup 2024 coming up, he will need workload management.
