CHENNA ISUPER KINGS(CSK) team - Ntini, Morkel left out

Chennai, April 15: The Chennai Super Kings announced a 17-member squad, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, for their opening Indian Premier League fixture against Punjab Kings at Mohali, Chandigarh, on April 19.

The squad is without South African imports, Makhaya Ntini and Albie Morkel who were expected to join on April 26 in time for the Chennai Super Kings’ next game against Royal Challengers in Bangalore.

The two players, however, will also miss the team’s first home game against Mumbai Indians on April 23.

Also missing from the squad is former India fast bowler, Lakshmipathy Balaji who is still to fully recover from stress fracture. He last played for India in 2005.

The team otherwise is on the expected lines 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.

On the absence of the two South African stars, VB Chandrasekar, the 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 on April 26. They will be in the squad for our second game.”

When asked about selection of 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 is scheduled to depart for Mohali on Wednesday morning.

The squad:

1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain)
2. Stephen Fleming
3. Jacob Oram
4. Michael Hussey
5. Matthew Hayden
6. Muttiah Muralitharan
7. Suresh Raina
8. Parthiv Patel
9. Joginder Sharma
10. Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan
11. Anirudha Srikkanth
12. R Ashwin
13. P Amarnath
14. Shadab Jakati
15. Arun Karthik
16. S Badrinath
17. Manpreet Gony

Coach: Kepler Wessels
Physical Trainer: Gregory King