Chennai Super Kings (CSK) group and their legendary captain MS Dhoni are again dwelling one final time within the IPL 2023 as they get able to tackle defending champions and table-toppers Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 on the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday. A win for both of the 2 groups will put them straight into the IPL 2023 Final on Sunday.
It has been a exceptional journey for Dhoni, who has battled a knee harm from Day 1 of the match however guided his facet into the Playoffs stage as soon as once more after ending on the backside of the desk final season. Dhoni-led CSK, the truth is, have retained their enjoying 12 in 9 of their matches – essentially the most by any group in IPL 2023, whereas GT are second-best and distant second at 4 instances.
CSK batting coach Michael Hussey revealed after their final match in opposition to Delhi Capitals, which Dhoni’s facet received comprehensively to e-book their Playoffs berth, that their skipper will not be at his 100 per cent in terms of health 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 stated.
Sporting the #Yellove with Pain within the Knee for the Fans & Franchise!
Rushing into the dressing room to get the ice packs on and never exhibiting the ache on face. Vera Level Thala !
We know you may contribute in 2024 as nicely. Please take care! #Dhoni #MSDhoni #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/BWGUmQgZQl
— WhistlePodu Army _ – CSK Fan Club (@CSKFansOfficial) May 19, 2023
CSK openers Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad stated that Dhoni’s knee was nicely and that they might wish to see their skipper play for at the very least one other 5 years for the facet. “He has played so much cricket and is highly respected. If the person of that magnitude has your backing and you know he believes in you it gives you so much confidence as a player,” Conway instructed his opening associate Gaikwad in a video posted by IPL.
“We are very lucky to have Mahi bhai in the group. Hopefully, this is not his last season. He has got at least five years in him. His knee is all good,” he added.
Dhoni has struggled with knee points nearly the entire season, and he has often been seen with bandages or an ice pack on his knee. While there have been murmurs that this can be Dhoni’s remaining IPL season, the CSK captain has made it appear attainable that he’ll return for IPL 2024.
The CSK skipper has a strike-rate of 190.74 in IPL 2023 and averages over 50 this season whereas coming in late within the batting order. It stays to be seen if Dhoni will be capable of carry himself and his group throughout the road for 2 extra matches and information CSK to a fifth IPL title.
