After leading Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a record-equalling fifth IPL title on Monday (May 29), MS Dhoni 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, the CSK captain travelled to Mumbai to consult a specialist for his troubling knee.
According to a Cricbuzz report, Dhoni underwent knee surgery on Thursday (June 1) and the operation was successful. He will reportedly stay in the hospital for a couple more days before being discharged.
"I spoke to him after the operation. I cannot explain what the surgery is about but we have been told it is a key-hole surgery. He sounded fine in our conversation," CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan told Cricbuzz.
After landing in Mumbai, Dhoni reportedly consulted Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, who is the director of sports medicine with specialisation in sports orthopaedics at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute.
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.
Following the IPL 2023 triumph, 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)
