Rinku and Rana put on a hall of fame display on how to play spin at the Chepauk with a 99-run partnership to take their side home.
Dhoni, who took two catches in the IPL final against Mumbai Indians, has now taken 94 catches and 38 stumpings.
Exactly 11 months are left for the marquee event in India and the series starting on Friday will give the team an initial idea about some of the middle-order slots
Ajinkya Rahane's contribution can't go unnoticed, taking the catches of Warner and Axar and effecting that brilliant run-out of Marsh -- dismissals that put the game out of DC's reach.
Shardul Thakur replaced spinner Axar Patel, who was transferred to the list of standby players.
Images from the IPL 2024 opener between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Dube smashed an unbeaten 45 off 28 balls while Pandey plundered 81 off 59 balls as India A overcame a poor start to win the rain affected match rather comfortably in the end. Chasing 208 in 30 overs, India A reached the target in 27.5 overs.
The BCCI is all set to introduce the 'impact player' system in IPL 2023 next year where the captains will be able to replace one player from the playing XI with a substitute player during an ongoing match.
India captain Virat Kohli looked in a relaxed mood along with team-mates KL Rahul and Shivam Dube during their flight to Hyderabad on Tuesday.
The two squads comprise a host of players, who have performed consistently for their state teams and IPL franchises over the past couple of seasons.
Chennai Super Kings will be wary of Mumbai Indians, which has a superior record in Chennai and has gathered some momentum by winning their last two matches.
Zimbabwe used eight bowlers in their attempt to restrict their opponents, but there was no reward against the India openers.
India opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the remaining two T20 Internationals against Sri Lanka following a wrist injury.
Chennai Super Kings's experience proved to be the difference in the all-important IPL Qualifier 2 game against a young Delhi Capitals.
"Ruturaj Gaikwad complained of pain in his right wrist, which is affecting his batting. He was unavailable for selection for the first T20I. The BCCI Medical Team is examining him," read a statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The All-India Senior Selection Committee of the BCCI has picked the squads for India's upcoming series against New Zealand and Bangladesh
Short skied it high. Kohli positioned himself properly only to see the ball slip through his reverse cup and hit the ground.
The Chennai Super Kings squad wore a relieved look as the players got together for breakfast at the Taj hotel in Dubai on Friday morning.
Rossouw was supported by opener Quinton de Kock (68 off 43) while David Miller came in with four balls left in the innings to smash three sixes, guiding the tourists to a competitive total of 227.
Watson is adamant that Siraj is the best option for India to include if they receive the dreaded news that Bumrah will have to miss the 20-over showcase Down Under.
'The last time we were here, we were tested and challenged in all departments of our game and I think we replied to it quite well. So I expect a good, strong and competitive series.'
Operating like a well-oiled unit, Chennai Super Kings will start as overwhelming favourites when they clash with struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL match in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for Wednesday's opening T20I against New Zealand?
India will be looking to round off their T20 World Cup preparation with a marked improvement in their death bowling besides providing crucial game time to its untested players in the three-match series against South Africa.
CSK's pace trio of Matheesha Pathirana, Deepak Chahar and Tushar Deshpande accounted for seven wickets for 59 runs in 11 overs to send MI crashing to defeat.
'Mahi way all the way!!! Eyes on #Thala #WhistlePodu #Yellove'
'We just need to keep backing ourselves. With three games to go, we don't want to test ourselves but keep the momentum going.'
Round-up of the matches across various venues in the Ranji Trophy
Arshdeep has courage but needs experience
Captain Virat Kohli, who smashed an unbeaten 72 to guide India to a seven-wicket win over South Africa in the second T20 International in Mohali on Wednesday
Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram, Shivam Dube: Whose batting enthralled you?
Earlier, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan had said that the team will start training from Friday after the second round of testing.
Either Mohammed Shami or pace-bowling all-rounder Deepak Chahar might take Bumrah's spot
Defending champions Chennai Super Kings would need to lift themselves after a nightmarish start to the season as they target their first win of IPL 2022 when they take on a high-flying Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday.
'I believe they have picked the right squad, considering the conditions in the UAE.'
The teams which don't make long-term promises that are difficult to fulfil but focus on immediate process and know the roles of players required for slots.
Gaikwad, a India 'A' regular, who tested positive a few days after Chahar, was being touted as the one to replace Suresh Raina, who pulled out of the IPL due to personal reasons.
India opener Ishan Kishan was admitted to a city hospital and underwent a brain scan after being struck on the head during the second T20I against Sri Lanka, in Dharamsala, on Saturday.
Defending champions Chennai Super Kings may miss the services of Moeen Ali for their opening match of IPL 2022 as the star England all-rounder is yet to receive his India visa.
Former Chennai Super Kings skipper Ravindra Jadeja has removed all posts related to the team's 2021 and 2022 seasons from his official Instagram account, an indication that all is not well between the all-rounder and the IPL franchise.
