Former India speedster and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowling coach L Balaji is confident that age wouldn't be an issue for senior CSK players who are looking to get into the groove and the proper zone of fitness following COVID-19 break ahead of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020.
One of IPL's most successful franchises, CSK, led by Dhoni has several players above 30 years of age at their ranks and Balaji has denied any issue regarding age, saying their experience would be only handy for the franchise in the IPL 2020 to be played in the UAE from September 19.
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CSK's players like Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, and Piyush Chawla will take part in a short camp at MA Chidambaram Stadium from August 16 under the watchful eyes of Balaji, while the team is likely to fly out on August 21 for the UAE.
Balaji told PTI: “I don’t think it’s going to be that difficult, because all your life you have played this sport. So many years of understanding will come in handy to get back to your best. The experience will definitely be important. It has been proven in big tournaments like IPL.”
However, former pacer admitted that it is not easy to regain peak fitness in any sport straightaway after a break, adding: “It is not easy to hit the 100 percent mark straightaway in any sport. As we progress with our skills and fitness every week, we will look to improve our strengths in phases. But the good thing is that we had a camp in March and it is going to be a continuation of where we left in that camp.”
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On legendary Dhoni, the CSK bowling coach said: “Dhoni is always a process backing leader. He is a great player and very fit. There is no short cut in his leadership, but he is someone who believes in opportunity and exposure rather than cutting and chopping.”
Balaji signed off by saying, “No one can question his ability or fitness. All top players know how to keep themselves in shape and perform. But the task before Dhoni is to bring together the players who are coming after a long layoff, find the right combination, and take the team forward.”
(With PTI Inputs)
