CSK bowling coach Eric Simons has given a huge update on captain MS Dhoni’s fitness after he missed practice for the second consecutive day at Eden Gardens ahead of their IPL 2025 game against KKR on May 7.

Many of the supporters who had flocked to Eden Gardens on Tuesday in the hopes of seeing their favorite player were disappointed by the 43-year-old Dhoni's absence from practice.

Dhoni is "fine" and "will play" in the match, which is a must-win for the home team, according to Simons. KKR is still in the running for the IPL 2025 playoffs, but CSK has already been eliminated.

"Yes, he's expected to play tomorrow. With regards to MS, he knows his situation very well. He knows where he is. In terms of his preparations, he always works very hard at the beginning of a tournament and then allows himself to taper off because he gets himself in a space where he's ready. So no issues, he just knows when he is prepared and when he's not," Simons said at the pre-match press conference.

"You see MS Dhoni as the cricketer, we always see MS Dhoni as the man who is a remarkable individual. His influence on the team, his ability to nurture Rutu, to nurture young cricketers, is what's legendary about him.

His influence is always there. Sure, he now makes the final decisions on movements of the field, but his influence -- whether he was captain or not -- was always there without imposing. He doesn't impose himself on anybody," Simons added.

MS Dhoni took over as captain after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out due to an injury, and the transition in leadership has been smooth, according to Simons.

"From selection conversations to tactics on the field to taking over from someone like him, what made it easier is the way that MS handles those moments. He's a remarkable man from that perspective, and it's been pretty smooth for him to step into the role again. Rutu is still around, still part of the conversations," Simons stated.

Despite the elimination, Simons emphasized the team's continued commitment.

"Absolutely not going through the motions. There's been some really good work done, discussions around individuals, and for us as a team. Obviously, we're a franchise that has a rich history of winning and doing particularly well. It's obviously not a great place to be in, but it's been a very rewarding place for us to look at it from a different perspective and a growth of individuals. It's still been a very rewarding period for us," Simons concluded.

(PTI inputs)