CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has confirmed that MS Dhoni will play for the franchise in upcoming matches of the IPL 2023 despite nursing a knee injury, which has restricted his movements on the field. However, the news is not so good for all-rounder Ben Stokes, who is set to be on the sidelines for a longer time.
Dhoni's injury was revealed by coach Stephen Fleming after the side's home match against Rajasthan Royals.
"He is nursing a knee injury, which you can see in some of his movements. It's hindering him somewhat. His fitness has always been very professional. He comes a month before the tournament starts. He's a great player. We have never doubted him. He's just amazing," Fleming said.
Since retiring from international cricket in 2020, MS Dhoni has exclusively been playing cricket for CSK in the IPL, also winning the title in the 2021 season. The CSK management says its longest-standing captain has not indicated that this force him to miss games in IPL 2023.
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"He will play. It is true that he has an injury to his knee but he has not told us otherwise,” confirmed CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan to Cricbuzz.
However, it was reported that CSK’s England all-rounder Ben Stokes is likely to miss at least three more games. The CSK CEO told Cricbuzz that Stokes will require two more weeks to be fully fit to return to action. He is believed to have sustained the injury on his left toe while bowling.
"Ben is doing well, he is recovering fast, and should be fit for the April 30 game. He could even be ready earlier, maybe by the April 27 game,” CSK CEO said.
That is an afternoon match at the Chepauk against Punjab Kings. Stokes, bought for Rs 16.25 crore, has played two games and missed as many so far. He managed scores of 7 and 8 in the two games and bowled only one over so far, without much impact.
Unfortunately, Deepak Chahar, who hurt his hamstring against Mumbai Indians will take longer to recover and according to the management hopes he could be available at some stage during the season's campaign, possibly in the first week of May.
"He will take longer than Ben to be back in action. Hopefully, he will be ready by the first week of May," Viswanathan said.
The franchise will also be without Sisanda Magala, who could not complete his quota of overs against Rajasthan Royals and the CSK management says the South African will take at least a week to be ready for match play.
CSK have two wins and two losses in IPL 2023, and they next play an away game against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 17.
(Cricbuzz inputs)
