Ravindra Jadeja will not be part of Chennai Super Kings' six-day IPL conditioning camp, which is scheduled between August 15 and 20 in Chennai. The allrounder is the only prominent name missing from the camp for Indian players which will feature captain MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu among others.
"He has personal commitments," Kasi Viswanathan, the Super Kings chief executive officer said, explaining Jadeja's absence. But Jadeja will reach Chennai in time to board the flight to Dubai on August 21. The camp will focus on fitness primarily, along with some cricket training too.
Viswanthan said the Tamil Nadu government had given written permission to the Super Kings to conduct the camp at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, behind closed doors. 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 squad in Dubai by August 22.
Ngidi, du Plessis set to join CSK after September 1
Viswanathan said the Super Kings were "hopeful" Faf du Plessis and Lungi Ngidi, two of the three South Africans in the squad, would reach the UAE after September 1. Currently South Africa has closed its borders as a measure to contain the Covid-19 pandemic and no one can travel in and out of the country without government permission.
"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. It is not clear whether both players would be part the group of South African players participating in the IPL and take a charter flight.
The third South African player, Imran Tahir, will join the squad after taking part in the Caribbean Premier League in Trinidad.
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.