IPL 2021: MS Dhoni waits for his teammates to depart, delays return to Ranchi

MS Dhoni, the Chennai Super Kings’ skipper, reportedly, has delayed his return to Ranchi. It’s been learned that the 39-year-old has opted to wait for his CSK teammates to depart after the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India. If reports are to be believed, Dhoni has informed all his teammates that he would be boarding the flight last.

The Jharkhand-born veteran, in a virtual meeting with his Super Kings’ mates, stated that since the tournament is taking place in India, the foreign players and support staff should get more preference so that they can return home.

MS Dhoni wanted the foreigners to leave first

“Mahi bhai said that he will be the last person to leave the hotel. He wanted foreigners to leave first, then the Indian players. He will be taking the last flight tomorrow when everyone reaches their home safe and secure,” a member of CSK was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

Earlier, members of the CSK continent were tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Bowling coach Laxmipathy Balaji, batting coach Michael Hussey and a member of the travel staff couldn’t evade the wrath of COVID-19.

Hussey is currently in a 10-day isolation period after which he would be fit to go back to Australia. The southpaw remains the only foreigner in the T20 league to contract the coronavirus.

“His (Hussey’s) symptoms are relatively mild, so he’s in for a stint of isolation in his hotel for at least 10 days, but his team have got some really good support systems around him, which is good,” Todd Greenberg, the Australian Cricketers’ Association Chief Executive, was quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald.

“We’ve spoken to Mike today. He is in good spirits. His symptoms are relatively mild. He is in a stint of isolation in his hotel room…he has good support systems around him,” Greenberg said.

Dhoni did a brilliant job in the 2021 IPL. After CSK couldn’t make the playoffs in 2020, he took them to the top of the points table with five wins from their first seven matches. They only lost to the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals.