CSK CEO Kashi Vishwanathan Reveals MS Dhoni Never Complained About His Knee To Anybody During IPL 2023
Despite MS Dhoni struggling with an injury this season, CSK CEO Kashi Viswanathan revealed that the stumper, never complained about his knee to anybody and played with it throughout the season.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 witnessed the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lift their record-equalling fifth title after they beat the Gujarat Titans (GT) in a thrilling final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With this MS Dhoni equalled Rohit Sharma's record of the captain with the most number of IPL titles to his credit. However, there is no doubt that CSK are the most successful and consistent sides in the tournament. Apart from the titles, they have made it to the Playoffs in more often than not, even making it to the finals more frequently than any other team in the competition.
Dhoni, who has been a key man in making the Men in Yellow the team that they are, leading them in all the seasons that they have participated in, may not be in the best of formswith the bat, he continues to be a genius as a keeper and as a leader. Despite Dhoni struggling with an injury this season, CSK CEO Kashi Viswanathan revealed that Dhoni never complained about his knee ito anybody.
"We never asked him things like 'do you want to play or do you want to sit out.' If he can't, he would've told us straightaway," CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan told ESPNcricinfo Tamil.
"We knew it was a struggle for him to play, but his commitment to the team, his leadership and how the team benefits everyone knows. From that perspective, you have to appreciate him," he said.
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"Till the final, he never complained about his knee to anybody. Though everyone knew, and you would've seen him struggling while running, he never complained even once. After the final, he said, 'okay, I'll have a surgery.' He's finished his surgery, he's quite happy, he's recovering," he further said.
After the final, Dhoni disclosed that the he wanted to return for the next season as a gift for his fans. However, that will depend on whether he is match fit for the exertion of yet another season of the T20 tournament after undergoing an injury.
"Actually, he told us immediately after the final is over he'll fly to Mumbai, have surgery and go back to Ranchi for rehab," Viswanathan said.
"In Mumbai, after Ruturaj's wedding [on June 4], I visited him. It was a courtesy call. He's quite comfortable. He said he'll rest for three weeks and then start his rehab. And like he said, he's not going to play until January-February. We don't need to remind him about all that," he said.