MS Dhoni on Monday (May 29) added another feather to his cap as he led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a record-equalling fifth IPL title by defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Speculations were rife that Dhoni will call time on his professional career after the IPL 2023 season. However, the CSK captain said he will try his best to give a gift to his fans although it won’t be easy for him to play one more IPL season.
Notably, Dhoni entered IPL 2023 with an ailing knee. He had to wear a kneecap during the entire tournament. He was seen with heavy strappings on the left knee as well when he said thank you to the crowd after CSK’s final league match at Chepauk.
Two days after the final, CEO Kasi Viswanathan revealed that Dhoni will be seeking expert opinion from sports orthopedics in Mumbai on the state of his dodgy left knee before taking a call on his treatment.
"Yes, it is true that Dhoni will be taking medical advice for his left knee injury and accordingly decide. If surgery is advised, it can only be ascertained after reports come out, it will be completely his call," Viswanathan told PTI.
When asked if there is any possibility that Dhoni will decide against playing next season, the CSK CEO replied: "Frankly, we are not even thinking on those lines as we haven't reached that stage.
"It will be completely Dhoni's call. But I can tell you in CSK, we haven't entertained those thoughts," Viswanathan said.
Asked if CSK supremo N Srinivasan spoke to the players after the IPL 2023 triumph and whether celebrations were in the offing, Viswanathan said: "He is very happy but there were no celebrations. The players dispersed for their respective destinations from Ahmedabad only. Also if you have seen CSK, we are never big on celebrations."
CSK have made 10 finals and 12 playoff appearances in 14 IPL seasons that they have been part of. s The franchise was banned from the cash-rich tournament for two years because of involvement in spot-fixing and betting
"I have been associated with CSK from season 1 and we have never deviated from our process. The key has been to keep things simple and explain every player what is expected of them. In our franchise, the skipper keeps everything uncomplicated," Viswanathan said.
(With PTI Inputs)
