IPL 2020: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) welcome Faf du Plessis and Lungi Ngidi in the squad

The Chennai Super Kings have been swimming in the pool of miseries for quite some time now. During their regular course of testing, members from their contingent including, Deepak Chahar and Ruturaj Gaikwad, tested COVID-19 positive and created a huge stir in the team. This trauma came just before the Yellow Army was stepping on the field to kick start their outdoor training sessions.

The team had more miseries waiting for them up as one of their key players, Suresh Raina, backed off from the entire IPL. The franchise has been having a hard time, but guess what, seems like the month of September has brought in some does of happiness for them. Two of their significant names, Faf du Plessis and Lungi Ngidi, landed in UAE on Tuesday.

The franchise welcomed them with open arms and took to Twitter to announce their arrivals. The post showed the two stars in their masks entering confidently. The caption read- “Early morning glories from the Rainbow Nation! #startTheWhistles #HomeSweetDen.”

Here’s the tweet by CSK

Early morning glories from the Rainbow Nation! #StartTheWhistles #HomeSweetDen 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/fGOtgJ1LIN

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) September 1, 2020

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has clearly laid down its strict protocols owing to the COVID-19 pandemic wherein a player will undergo a 6-days quarantine before hitting the ground. The players will also have to test negative thrice before joining the rest of the squad for training.

Du Plessis has been one regular member of the Yellow Army who has performed successfully in top order. He has 1853 runs from 73 IPL matches at 31.40 to his credit. Ngidi had to miss the previous season due to an injury and currently has 11 wickets from 7 IPL matches.

Raina’s abrupt departure has created a huge void at no-3 batting position in the CSK line-up, and it needs to be bridged in the best manner possible. With Ambati Rayudu and Shane Watson taking the charge well at the beginning, Du Plessis can be considered as a suitable replacement for Raina’s position.

The members who have contracted the virus have been shifted to a different hotel and are currently stable. The IPL 2020 is slated to commence September 19, and the final will see action on November 10.