MS Dhoni never complained about his knee even once though everyone knewCSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan

By India Today Sports DeskChennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni’s remarkable dedication and commitment helped the team win the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). He did not consider missing a single game and played with a heavily strapped left knee in a cast.

Dhoni has since undergone surgery in Mumbai and is currently undergoing rehabilitation.

CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan commended Dhoni’s unwavering commitment to the team, stating that they never had to ask him if he wanted to sit out due to his injury. Dhoni’s leadership skill is widely recognised, and his determination to play through the pain is appreciated by all.

“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,” Viswanathan told ESPNcricinfo. “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.

“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.”

During the post-final presentation, Dhoni expressed that retiring after winning the title would be the ideal time, but he vowed to return for at least one more season if his body permits. This decision is seen as a gift to his fans, even if it means enduring another nine months of rigorous training.

Viswanathan confirmed that Dhoni intends to rest for three weeks and then commence his rehab, adding that Dhoni himself will decide on his future plans and inform CSK owner N Srinivasan. Since 2008, Dhoni has maintained direct communication with the team’s management.

The CSK CEO stated that they trust Dhoni to inform them about his actions and appreciate his straightforwardness.

“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 knows what to do, how to go about it, so we aren’t going to ask him ‘what are you going to do, how’ etc. He will inform us on his own. Whatever he’s doing, he’ll call first and inform only Mr N Srinivasan, not anyone else. Factually, he’ll be straightforward with him. From him, we’ll get the information that this is what he’s doing. It’s been this way since 2008. That’s how it will continue.”