Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan expresses confidence that MS Dhoni will honor his commitment to play in the IPL 2024 season, following the team’s decision to retain him on the retention deadline of November 26. Viswanathan dismisses concerns about Dhoni’s fitness, assuring that the captain has recovered well from knee surgery.
Despite Dhoni’s persistent knee niggle during IPL 2023, where he led CSK to their fifth title, he played the finisher’s role effectively, scoring 104 runs in 16 matches at an impressive strike rate of 184. Dhoni, after winning the IPL 2023 title, affirmed his return for IPL 2024 as a gift to the fans.
Kasi Viswanathan emphasizes Dhoni’s commitment, stating, “If our leader has given a word, he has never gone back.” He reassures fans about Dhoni’s fitness, referring to him as “Thalaivan” (our leader).
Dhoni underwent successful left knee surgery in June 2023, performed by Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala. Despite playing the entire IPL 2023 season with strapping on his knee, Dhoni led CSK to victory, and post-surgery, he promptly returned to Ranchi for rest and rehabilitation.
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Viswanathan mentions that Chennai Super Kings considered retaining Ben Stokes but the England all-rounder made himself unavailable for the upcoming season due to knee injury concerns. Stokes, bought for Rs 16.25 crore in IPL 2023, played only two matches and is set to undergo surgery. CSK, heading into the December 19 mini auction with a purse of Rs 31.4 crore, released Stokes along with seven other players.