A batsman of Russell's calibre may just prove to be the difference between the two sides.
While Dhoni lead the Pune Franchise in the first season, he was replaced by Smith for the 2017 season after the wicketkeeper-batter stepped down from India captaincy in January 2017.
Kolkata Knight Riders have been fined for maintaining a slow-over rate during their seven-wicket win against Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League match in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
With eight points from 11 games, RR are placed second from bottom in the eight-team table and a loss on Saturday will end their slim chances of qualifying for the knockout stage.
Dhoni revealed his plans after quitting cricket, fuelling fresh speculations about his retirement.
The IPL auction for the 2018 season is just three months away, but no consensus has been reached over the number of players that can be retained by franchises.
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.
The former India batter further added that the 42-year-old will tell every other player subtly and that's what they expect from the skipper.
It solidified Dhoni's legacy as a captain who achieved unparalleled success in ICC tournaments.
CSK, coming off consecutive losses to Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings, will be aiming to bounce back against Lucknow Super Giants.
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.
As far as the Indian team is concerned, even a 3-0 result against the hosts will not be enough for the second-placed side to claim the number one spot in the ICC rankings, while a favourable outcome for the home team will boost its qualifying chances for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
Batting great Sachin Tendulkar said India's 1983 World Cup triumph was a 'landmark event' in his life. India had defeated the mighty West Indies by 43 runs at Lord's to claim their first-ever World Cup title.
After the gruelling league phase of the ongoing IPL, the stage is set for the play-offs with CSK and MI clashing against each other for a place in May 12 final.
Indian batsman Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the remaining three One-dayers and the one-off Twenty20 against England after sustaining a fracture in the middle finger of his right hand.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag has taken a dig at Chennai Super Kings' faltering IPL campaign, saying that some of their batsmen think of the franchise as a "government job" in which remuneration is assured irrespective of performance.
Playing in the Indian Premier League where he is exposed to high-pressure situations has enhanced all-rounder Sam Curran's white-ball skills, according to stand-in England head coach Graham Thorpe.
Former captain Sunil Gavaskar feels hosts India will start as favourites at the upcoming World Twenty20.
Chennai Super Kings may struggle to capitalise on the home advantage during the IPL play-offs as they are still "not sure" of the conditions at the Chepauk, says head coach Stephen Fleming.
Dominic Xavier salutes the cricketing legend.
It was on this day that the MS Dhoni-led team beat England by five runs in a rain-curtailed final in Birmingham to win the ICC Champions Trophy.
Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni arrived in Chennai on Tuesday ahead of the departure of a group of players to the UAE, which will host the remainder of the Indian Premier League next month.
The flamboyant Yuvraj Singh reckons India could break their ICC trophy drought if they play to their strengths rather than "thinking of where the opposition is going to harm us" in the T20 World Cup, as there is no dearth of skills and self-belief in the squad.
It was Virat Kohli's fourth unsuccessful attempt to lead India to an ICC title
The Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side, which lost a closely contested series 2-3 before heading into the Test matches, were 13 points behind leaders Australia (127 rating points) in the ODI table.
Images from Monday's IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, in Abu Dhabi.
The gigantic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad can take a cue and 'learn' from Eden Gardens' fully covered rain management system, said Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Snehasish Ganguly.
The Men in Blue also have kept their unbeaten streak against Pakistan in the World Cup as the side defeated them in the 2015 and 2019 50-over World Cup. ies.
Both CSK and RCB are based out of Dubai while the Rohit Sharma-captained Mumbai Indians are camping in Abu Dhabi.
MS Dhoni-led team beat England by five runs in a rain-curtailed final in Birmingham to win the ICC Champions Trophy.
Share your memories of your meeting with the legendary cricketer.
India have not won a World Cup since the 2011 title triumph by the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side in the 50-over global showpiece.
Harbhajan, who was part of the T20 squad for the three-match series, was left out for the ODIs but got a lucky call-up after Ashwin managed to bowl only 4.4 overs at Green Park.
Eyeing a top-two finish, Chennai Super Kings will start as the firm favourites when they take on Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League, in Dubai, on Thursday.
Recovering from a shoulder injury, Indian batsman Rohit Sharma, who missed leading the Mumbai Indians franchise in the Champions League T20, is set to miss the limited-overs edition of the West Indies series starting October 8.
Images from Friday's IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, in Sharjah.
Chennai Super Kings will be determined to erase their IPL 2020 nightmare when they failed to make it to the IPL play-offs for the first time.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha was named captain of the India 'A' team, which will take part in the two unofficial 'Tests' and a four-nation One-day tournament, in Australia.
Australia's rookie pacer Joel Paris is set to don Glenn McGrath's No.11 jersey when he makes his likely international debut in the first cricket ODI against India on January 12.
After last year's low, there is lot to gain for CSK
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