GT vs CSK: MS Dhoni to be benched in further IPL matches? Chennai doctors' worriesome update

Legendary wicketkeeper-batter and former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper, MS Dhoni, is reportedly playing with another injury in the ongoing IPL 2024. Last season, Dhoni had played throughout the tournament with a knee injury that had to be operated on just after CSK won the IPL 2024.

However, Dhoni’s knee is completely healed now, but the muscle tear has severely restricted his movements on the ground, and that’s why he couldn’t come up with the batting order for the defending champions, CSK, in the ongoing IPL 2024.

This update came after fans and the cricket fraternity criticized Dhoni for not coming up to bat up the batting order during a 28-run win over the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match Number 53 of the ongoing IPL 2024 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Sunday, May 5.

MS Dhoni battling with an injury in the IPL 2024

When CSK faced a crucial moment against PBKS, with their sixth wicket falling and 122 runs on the board by the end of the 16th over, the cricket world was expecting Dhoni to take the crease. However, to everyone's surprise, Shardul Thakur came to bat, sparking criticism about the legendary cricketer’s decision to hold himself back in such a crucial moment.

Even Dhoni’s former India and CSK teammate, Harbhajan Singh, openly suggested that Dhoni should drop himself from the playing XI and include an extra bowler if he is unwilling to bat in such crucial situations.

However, sources close to CSK have now revealed that Dhoni's decision to not promote himself up the order is not by choice but due to a concerning reason. According to the Times of India, Dhoni has been nursing a muscle tear in his leg since the start of the ongoing IPL 2024 and it is not allowing him to run extensively on the field.

Furthermore, Devon Conway’s absence due to an injury made things more complicated. CSK’s second wicketkeeper, Conway, was ruled out due to injury before the tournament, due to which Dhoni could not even think of taking a break, and he is continuously playing through the pain.

 MS Dhoni makes a big sacrifice for CSK in IPL 2024

He is managing his condition with medication and minimizing running as much as possible. Doctors have advised Dhoni to rest, considering his injury, but injuries in the CSK camp forced the legendary wicketkeeper-batter to play regularly in the ongoing IPL 2024 despite the physical discomfort.

It is being said that the 42-year-old is completely avoiding any running drills, focusing solely on honing his batting skills to hit the sixes in his practice sessions. A source close to the developments was quoted as saying by TOI: “We are virtually playing with our ‘B' team. Those who are criticizing Dhoni don't know the sacrifice that he is doing for this team.”

Dhoni has been engaging in limited running during his cameos in the ongoing IPL 2024, but it has only worsened his injury. However, despite this, he remains committed to CSK and has refused to take a break, as he has been mentoring the new skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad.

This season, Dhoni has provided invaluable guidance to Gaikwad, and the legendary cricketer acknowledges that the new CSK skipper’s captaincy is still evolving; there is no consideration of removing him from the position, even if the defending champions fail to qualify for the playoffs.