MS Dhoni, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star, attracted heavy criticism after he walked into bat at number 9 during the team's IPL 2024 clash against Punjab Kings at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. When CSK lost their sixth wicket with 122 runs on the board, fans and pundits alike expected Dhoni to come out to bat. However, Shardul Thakur walked in ahead of him, a move that was frowned by several cricket experts.
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Even when Dhoni finally came in to bat, he was unable to make a significant impact as he got out for a first-ball duck, falling to Harshal Patel. But it's now being revealed that the decision of Dhoni coming into bat later in the innings wasn't a tactical move but a forced one. A report carried by Times Of India (TOI) claims that Dhoni is suffering from a leg-muscle tear and is not in a condition to run for too long.
The report claims that had the second wicketkeeper Devon Conway, who has been ruled out with an injury, been available for selection, Dhoni could have even taken a break. The wicketkeeper-batter apparently is playing through pain, taking his medicines and trying to minimise his running. With the team running short of options because of injuries, Dhoni has no option but to play even when he has been suggested rest by the doctors.
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Deepak Chahar Likely To be Ruled Out Of IPL 2024
In a further blow to CSK, Deepak Chahar is also unlikely to play any further part in the competition. Chahar experienced discomfort during the team's home match against PBKS and left the field only after 2 balls. And now the same report carried by the publication has claimed that the right-arm speedster may not recover in time to play any part in the rest of the competition. Matheesha Pathirana, another CSK pacer, has already flown back home after being ruled out of IPL 2024 with an injury.