Staying in self-isolation for the first six days after spending five months with family was the hardest phase, according to Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who spoke for the first time in months ahead of the IPL opener against Mumbai Indians. As per the protocol, teams had to quarantine for six days in Dubai and 14 days in Abu Dhabi.

However, CSK had to stretch their self-isolation period to September 1 due to positive cases in the camp including players Deepak Chahar and Ruturaj Gaikwad. "The first six days of quarantine are very difficult. You are with your family and suddenly you have to stay in a separate room...felt each individual used that time well and nobody was disappointed or frustrated," the former India skipper said after winning the toss.