The D day is almost here. All eight teams have done their very best to enjoy the bubble and keep energy levels high throughout these testing times. Marquee players joining their squads, continued high intensity practice drills and some fun on the sidelines.

IPL Diaries edition 4 has got you covered on all the latest from the eight teams.

Mumbai Indians

The defending champions had their pre-season press conference with captain Rohit Sharma and Head Coach Mahela Jayawardene.

With the addition of Chris Lynn to the MI family this season, Jayawardene was asked if the combination at the top will be tweaked The Sri Lankan great made it clear that MI will continue with the Rohit-QDK option.

Rohit also announced that he is looking to face the new ball.

They were also asked if the past UAE experience is at the back of their mind when in 2014, Mumbai Indians had lost all their five games before turning it around in India. Rohit said with a new-look team then from the one in 2014, they will avoid looking at carrying any extra baggage.

IPL is like a festival

The MI captain added that the Dream11 IPL is like a festival in India and as role models, they want to send the right message across to the people back home. He added that know this sport means so much to the Indian fans.

Kolkata Knight Riders

All the way from US of A

Kolkata Knight Riders welcomed pacer Ali Khan to their family after being named replacement for Harry Gurney. Khan will be the first player from USA to play the Dream11 Indian Premier League.

Beat the Heat, KKR Way!

The Cool Khan might be in the room confines, but the rest of the Knights found out different ways to cope with the heat. Someone get them a drink!

Brotherly love, social distancing style

Last week we saw Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma & KKR members Abhishek Nayar & Kuldeep Yadav playing catch-up maintaining social distancing. This time it was Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya doing the same.

Abu Dhabi – new home for the Knights

The team also revealed their first look of their home ground for 8 games this season, away from home.

Chennai Super Kings

Fun shoots and play

As the season opener is all set to approach, the Chennai Super Kings have been busy wrapping up their shoots. There’s fun and banter as they prep up for the camera.

On the training front, the Chennai Super Kings put up a visual delight for their fans with visuals from their practice games. Faf du Plessis, M Vijay and Watson looked in great rhythm.

MS Dhoni fans too had all the reasons to rejoice as their Thala was seen tonking a few out of the park in Dubai.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

How’s the JOSH?

From playing some pool volleyball to grinding it out in the Dubai heat, the RCB have been at it from the word go.

Words of wisdom

One of the senior most members in the team, AB de Villiers was seen talking to the young recruits and guiding them through the nets. What better than your idol talking you through techniques?

As safe as houses

As intense as it can get, the Skipper along with ABD and Parthiv show us the true meaning of ‘safe as houses’

Orange Army – One family

Meanwhile, the Orange Army reflected on their emotions of getting back on the field after a long layoff. This is one well-knit family we say.

Rashid Khan meanwhile was munching his way during quarantine. Now we know where the astute bowling skills come from!

Silhouette love

Who doesn’t love the hues from a setting sun? Painting the skies orange – literally!

Delhi Capitals

Audacious Rishabh

It did not matter whether it was an intra-squad game or a net-practice… at least for Rishabh Pant. The wicketkeeper-batsman was in no mood to hit anything down the ground. Rightfully say, one may say with the power-hitting abilities he has. While he was at it, there was also an audaciously cheeky reverse scoop.

Pace battery in top shape

Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma and Anrich Nortje, meanwhile, looked in top shape. The pace-bowling trio was firing on all cylinders – bowling bouncers, practicing toe-crushers, disturbing the timber and hitting the corridor of uncertainty.

Rajasthan Royals

He’s back

It was under him that Rajasthan Royals won their maiden IPL title in 2008 and RR found a fine way to celebrate their former skipper and legendary spinner Shane Warne’s birthday, announcing him the team’s mentor and brand ambassador.

Stone Cold in the house?

The WWE-cricket crossover no one really saw it coming, or did we? For the 90s kids, 3:16 is pretty much enough to know where we are heading or what we are talking about. If you agree, give Ankit Rajpoot, “Hell yeah.”

Kings XI Punjab

A practice game before the real one

The KXIP played a practice game to give their boys the feel of the actual action that will unfold from Saturday. Director of Cricket Operations, Anil Kumble said it was important since the team had not played a game in the last six months.

A fun pool session

The boys also had a fun session in the pool, which also helped them to unwind. They shared a small video on their social media and it looked like an intense game induced with doses of laughter.