MS Dhoni is questionable for the IPL 2023 opener against the Gujarat Titans.

Two unfavorable factors have affected the Chennai Super Kings ahead of the Indian Premier League’s first game. Once Mukesh Choudhary’s withdrawal from the competition was confirmed, renowned captain MS Dhoni is also questionable for the tournament opener against the Gujarat Titans on March 31. The 41-year-old’s participation in the squad for the much-anticipated match is in doubt due to a niggle in his left knee.

Moreover, MS Dhoni skipped the team’s practice on Thursday, fueling rumors that his ailment was significant enough to need consideration before Friday’s game.

It will be intriguing to see who takes over behind the wickets in Dhoni’s absence because CSK doesn’t have many wicketkeeping alternatives either.

The top candidates to replace Dhoni in his prestigious wicketkeeping position are Devon Conway and Ambati Rayudu, since they have some background in the field of play to support their selection. Incidentally, Rayudu kept wickets for the Mumbai Indians during his time there and is capable of doing so once more for his present team.

Ben Stokes, who has led England well during Dhoni’s absence, may have been considered to take over for him if he hadn’t been experiencing personal health issues. In such a scenario, Ravindra Jadeja, who previously managed Chennai for the majority of the 2022 season, might be granted the team’s leadership once more.

In the CSK lineup for IPL 2023, Akash Singh replaces Mukesh Choudhary.

After Mukesh Choudhary, CSK’s top bowler from last year, was forced to withdraw from the 2023 tournament owing to a back injury, Akash Singh, a member of India’s 2020 U-19 World Cup squad, was brought in as a replacement.

In six matches of the 2020 U-19 World Cup, Akash Singh took up seven wickets at an amazing economy rate of 3.81. The 20-year-old would be eager to leave an imprint on the competition after making it onto the big stage.

In the MA Chidambaram Stadium, where the team will play its first home game in four years, Chennai will take on the Lucknow Super Giants in their second game.