With the announcement that IPL 2020 will be held in UAE from September 19 to November 10, it has become imperative for the teams to hit the ground running with a proper camp in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will hold the camp with their Indian contingent at Chepauk from August 15 to 20, post which all the players will depart for UAE.
Except for all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, all the other squad members of the franchise including skipper MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu will attend the camp, which will focus primarily on fitness primarily besides some cricket training.
"He has personal commitments," ESPNcricinfo quoted CSK Chief Executive Officer Kasi Viswanathan as saying, explaining Jadeja's absence.
However, Jadeja will reach Chennai in time to board the flight for Dubai on August 21.
Viswanathan also confirmed that Tamil Nadu government had given written permission to stage the camp at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, behind closed doors.
According to the report, bowling coach L Balaji will be the only member of the coaching staff present at the camp.
Head coach Stephen Fleming and assistant coach Michael Hussey, Viswanathan said, are likely to join the CSK squad in Dubai by August 22.
CSK are expecting two Proteas cricketers Faf du Plessis and Lungi Ngidi to join the squad after September 1.
"When we spoke to Faf and Ngidi they said yes, we are coming. They have said that they will only be coming after September 1," Viswanathan said.
The third South African player, Imran Tahir (Guyana Amazon Warriors), will join the squad after plying his trade in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2020, scheduled to be played from August 18 to September 10.
Viswanathan also said the South African backroom pair of Eric Simons (bowling consultant) and Greg King (physical trainer) would join the squad in Dubai on August 21.
