The Chennai Super Kings and their captain, MS Dhoni, are preparing to face off against the Gujarat Titans in the first qualifier of IPL 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The winner of this match will go straight to the final on Sunday.
Dhoni, who’s been battling a knee injury since the beginning of the tournament, has managed to guide his team to the playoffs, despite finishing at the bottom of the table last season. In fact, CSK has retained their playing 12 in 9 of their matches- the most by any team in IPL 2023, while GT stands at a distant second, having done so only 4 times.
However, CSK batting coach Michael Hussey has revealed after their last match against Delhi Capitals, which Dhoni’s side won comprehensively to book their playoffs berth, that their skipper is not at his 100 per cent when it comes to fitness and is ‘managing’ himself. “His (MS Dhoni) knee isn’t 100% at the moment, so he’s managing himself, coming in to bat in the last 2-3 overs. He isn’t able to run as well as he did during his heydays, but he’s doing things right and hitting the ball really well,” Hussey said.
Although Dhoni’s knee issue has persisted throughout the tournament, the openers of CSK, Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad, insist that he is fit and even aspire to see him play for at least another five years. Dhoni has been frequently seen with bandages or an ice pack on his knee, leading some to speculate that this might be his final IPL season. However, the CSK skipper has kept his options open and is making it possible that he will return to IPL in 2024.
The CSK captain has a strike-rate of 190.74 and an average of over 50 this season. Although he has been coming in late in the batting order, it remains to be seen if Dhoni will be fit enough to guide CSK to their fifth IPL title.
Sporting the #Yellove with Pain in the Knee for the Fans & Franchise!
Rushing into the dressing room to get the ice packs on and not showing the pain on face. Vera Level Thala !
We know you can contribute in 2024 as well. Please take care! #Dhoni #MSDhoni #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/BWGUmQgZQl
— WhistlePodu Army – CSK Fan Club (@CSKFansOfficial) May 19, 2023