By IANS,
Chennai : Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead a 17-member Chennai Super Kings squad for their opening fixture against Punjab Kings at Mohali, Chandigarh, Saturday in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket tournament.
The squad is without South African imports, Makhaya Ntini and Albie Morkel, who are expected to join the team April 26 in time for the Chennai Super Kings’ next game against Royal Challengers in Bangalore.
The two players will also miss the team’s first home game April 23 against Mumbai Indians.
Also missing from the squad is former India opening bowler Lakshmipathi Balaji, who is still to recover fully from injuries.
The team otherwise has no surprises with the other foreign recruits, Stephen Fleming and Jacob Oram (both New Zealand), Michael Hussey and Matthew Hayden (both Australia) and Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) figuring prominently.
V.B. Chandrasekar, director of cricketing operations of Chennai Super Kings, said: “Both Ntini and Morkel would be returning home for some rest and will join the team April 26. They will be in the squad for our third game.”
Asked about selection of an additional 17th player, Chandrasekar said: “Basically, we want a cover in case any player is injured. We don’t want to take any chances on this.”
The team:
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Stephen Fleming, Jacob Oram, Michael Hussey, Matthew Hayden, Muttiah Muralitharan, Suresh Raina, Parthiv Patel, Joginder Sharma, Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan, Anirudha Srikkanth, R Ashwin, P Amarnath, Shadab Jakati, Arun Karthik, S Badrinath and Manpreet Gony.