Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan has applauded the unwavering commitment of skipper MS Dhoni, who led the team to their fifth title in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. Despite struggling with a knee injury throughout the tournament, Dhoni never complained about his condition, according to Viswanathan. The former Indian captain recently underwent knee surgery and is now on the road to recovery.
Despite nursing a knee injury, MS Dhoni played a pivotal role in guiding the Chennai Super Kings to IPL victory. The 41-year-old displayed exceptional resilience, scoring 104 runs in the tournament at an impressive strike rate of 182.46. Viswanathan revealed that Dhoni never let his injury hinder his performance and never complained about it to anyone.
In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Kasi Viswanathan commended Dhoni’s commitment, stating that the team never questioned his availability to play. The CSK management understood Dhoni’s challenges but recognized the immense value he brought to the team through his leadership and overall contribution. Viswanathan emphasized Dhoni’s commitment to the team as something to be admired.
“We never asked him things like ‘Do you want to play or do you want to sit out.’ If he couldn’t, he would’ve told us straight away. We knew it was a struggle for him to play, but everyone knows his commitment to the team, his leadership, and how the team benefits. From that perspective, you have to appreciate him,” Kasi Viswanathan told ESPNcricinfo.
“Till the final, he never complained about his knee to anybody. Though everyone knew, and you would’ve seen him struggle while running, he never complained. After the final, he said, ‘Okay, I’ll have surgery.’ He’s finished his surgery and is quite happy; he’s recovering,” he added.
Following his surgery in Mumbai, MS Dhoni is currently in recovery, and his progress has been satisfactory. Viswanathan shared that Dhoni will initiate rehabilitation three weeks after the surgery. It has been confirmed that the Chennai Super Kings will not participate in any further cricketing activities until next year. As for Dhoni’s IPL future, the CSK CEO stated that a decision would be made after January next year, allowing Dhoni ample time to assess his fitness and aspirations for the tournament.
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Throughout the IPL 2023, even as observers noticed Dhoni’s struggles while running, he never complained about his knee. It was only after the final match that Dhoni announced his decision to undergo surgery. His ability to lead by example and his selfless dedication to the team’s success make him a revered figure in the cricketing world. The CSK CEO’s comments reflect the profound appreciation for Dhoni’s stoic approach and unwavering commitment.
“He told us immediately after the final is over that he’ll fly to Mumbai, have surgery, and return to Ranchi for rehab. In Mumbai, after Ruturaj’s wedding, I visited him. It was a courtesy call. He’s quite comfortable. He said he’d rest for three weeks and then start his rehab. And, like he said, he won’t play until January-February. We don’t need to remind him about all that,” he added.
