IPL 2020 News: Ravindra Jadeja to skip CSK conditioning camp in Chennai

Ravindra Jadeja to skip CSK conditioning camp: Super Kings all-rounder will join the squad directly before flying to Dubai.

India and Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will skip the franchise’s pre-season conditioning camp in Chennai. Set to be conducted between August 15-20, the camp will feature the likes of captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, vice-captain Suresh Raina and veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh.

Jadeja, who is the only notable name missing from Super Kings, will join the rest of the squad in Chennai from where the players will travel to Dubai on August 21.

Both CSK management and Dhoni had expressed the intention to conduct a pre-season camp in Chennai as the players hadn’t played much cricket due to the COVID-19 lockdown. The franchise received permission from the Tamil Nadu government with respect to organizing a camp at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Ravindra Jadeja to skip CSK conditioning camp

Super Kings chief executive officer Kasi Viswanathan opened up on Jadeja’s absence stating that “he has personal commitments”. In 101 matches for CSK, Jadeja has scored 865 runs at a strike rate of 126.46 and picked 81 wickets at an economy rate and strike rate of 7.46 and 20.01 respectively.

In addition to all the Indian players, Chennai’s bowling coach Laxmipathy Balaji will also be present during the camp. As far as head coach Stephen Fleming and assistant coach Michael Hussey are concerned, they will meet the squad directly in Dubai.

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Viswanathan also talked about the status of their South African players in batsman Faf du Plessis and fast bowler Lungi Ngidi. With a restriction on international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, South African players won’t be able to reach UAE in August.

“When we spoke to Faf [du Plessis] and [Lungi] Ngidi they said yes, we are coming. They have said that they will only be coming after September 1,” Viswanathan was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Veteran South Africa spinner Imran Tahir, who will be playing in the Caribbean Premier League before IPL 2020, will travel from West Indies to UAE to join Super Kings.