MS Dhoni Forced to Play With Muscle Tear, Cannot Bat for Long Due to Pain: Report
MS Dhoni has played a series of entertaining cameos for CSK this season. (AP Photo)
The sight of MS Dhoni, one of the finest biggest in white-ball cricket, walking in to bat at no.9 during an IPL 2024 match between Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings in Dharamsala led to criticism over the former captain not taking responsibility.
His former India and CSK teammate Harbhajan Singh went to the extent of suggesting that if Dhoni is to bat in the lower-order then the franchise will be better off playing a bowler instead of the wicketkeeper.
However, as per a report in The Times of India, Dhoni not batting higher up has to with a muscle tear in his leg which has limited his movement and in the absence of a quality backup option, the five-time IPL winning captain has no choice but to take the field battling pain.
“We are virtually playing with our ‘B’ team. Those who are criticizing Dhoni don’t know the sacrifice that he is doing for this team,” a CSK source was quoted as saying by the publication.
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During IPL 2023, Dhoni played the entire season with an injure knee as the franchise won a record-equaling fifth title, beating Gujarat Titans in the final. The severity of the injury can be gauged from the fact that immediately after the conclusion of the season, the former India captain went for a surgery to repair the damage.
The knee though has fully healed but reportedly, he ended up with a muscle tear in his leg at the start of IPL 2024.
As per the report, if Devon Conway was available then it would have given Dhoni a breathing space to take rest and recover. However, the New Zealand cricketer is skipping the entire IPL 2024 due to a thumb injury.
Dhoni also stepped away from CSK captaincy on the eve of the season, handing over the reins to Ruturaj Gaikwad.
“He (Gaikwad) is giving his best and we believe we will go much beyond just making the play-offs,” the source said.