MS Dhoni on Monday (May 29) added another feather to his illustrious 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 cricket career after the IPL 2023 season. However, the CSK skipper vowed to return next season fitness-permitting.
Notably, Dhoni entered IPL 2023 with an ailing knee. He had to wear a kneecap right through the tournament. The 41-year-old was also seen with heavy strappings on the left knee when he said thank you to the crowd in Chennai after CSK’s final league match at Chepauk.
Less than 48 hours after the IPL final, Dhoni consulted a specialist for his troubling knee, Cricbuzz reported.
According to the report, the CSK captain was at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute in Mumbai on Wednesday (May 31) to have his knee treated, and may undergo surgery on Thursday (June 1).
Dhoni reportedly consulted Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, who is the director of sports medicine at the hospital with specialisation in sports orthopaedics.
It is pertinent to mention here that Dr. Pardiwala is also treating India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who sustained multiple injuries after a horrific car crash last December.
"He has gone to meet Dr Padriwala and he is prepared to take the surgery route to recover fully for the next season," CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed to Cricbuzz.
Following the title win, MS Dhoni said it won’t be easy for him to play one more IPL season but he will try his best to give a gift to his fans.
“Looking for an answer? Circumstantially if you see, this is the best time to announce my retirement. But the amount of love and affection I have been shown wherever I have been this year, the easy thing would be for me to say "Thank you very much", but the tough thing for me is to work hard for another 9 months and come back and play at least 1 more season of IPL. A lot depends on the body, I have 6-7 months to decide. It will be more like a gift from my side, it's not easy for me but that's a gift. The way they've shown their love and affection, I think that's something I need to do for them,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation.
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
