MS Dhoni: CSK to manage workloads of World Cup-bound cricketers in IPL 2019

CSK to manage workloads of World Cup-bound cricketers: Chennai Super Kings seem to be well-prepare for workload-related issues in IPL 2019.

With not much time-gap between the 12th season of the Indian Premier League and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, the upcoming triad of months will allure a lot of opinions as far as the terms “workload management” and “niggles” are concerned.

Among the notable personalities to address the same are former India captain and current wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India Coach Ravi Shastri and veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.

From warning the Indian cricketers regarding picking up “bad habits” to suggesting them to take “smart decisions” during these difficult and competitive months, India captain Virat Kohli has also been vocal about the same.

It is perhaps this reason why many overseas players have been asked to leave the Indian Premier League midway. Keeping the World Cup in mind, each team would want their players to remain fresh in a bid to perform at their best.

As far as defending champions Chennai Super Kings are concerned, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, batsmen in Ambati Rayudu, Faf du Plessis and all-rounders in Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja and David Willey are most likely to feature in the world event in England.

“Workload management is going to play a part”

Speaking at the launch of IPL Champions Chennai Super Kings’ official merchandise in Chennai, coach Stephen Fleming opened up on keeping in mind the availability factor before settling in on the playing XI. “Yes, this [workload management] is going to play a part,” Fleming said.

“The reason I say that is England 18 months ago stipulated when their players will be leaving early; Australia are the same. It has had an impact. When we sit and pick as a team, we were mindful of how many players will be leaving early and what the balance would be like. So, it has had an influence,” he further said.

Kedar Jadhav lays emphasis on recovery

Jadhav, who was ruled out of IPL 2018 after playing the first match, had succumbed to a hamstring injury during the Asia Cup as well. A vital cog in the wheel for India’s ODI team, it will be imperative for him to play injury-free cricket in the next three months. Being asked about the same, Jadhav mentioned that not requiring to bowl will aid him in the IPL.

“My workload, I think, is about managing my bowling. In CSK, I don’t think I need to bowl as much as I do in the Indian team. How you recover after every IPL game really matters during this two-month period. You can’t just improve in one training session,” Jadhav was quoted as saying.

Much like the other opinions, Jadhav also put it down to individuals handling the situation themselves. The all-rounder also laid emphasis on working in tandem with the trainers and physios of both Chennai Super Kings and the Indian cricket team.

“Obviously, it’s up to the individuals and we are smart enough to handle the situation. We will work in tandem with trainers and physios of Indian team as well as the franchise. We have got some notes [from Indian trainers and physios] and we have to follow them,” Jadhav concluded.

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