IPL 2023Seeing MS Dhoni limping through running between wickets breaks my heart, says Irfan Pathan

By India Today Sports DeskFormer India cricketer Irfan Pathan got emotional to see MS Dhoni limping in the IPL 2023 clash between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals in Chennai on May 10.

CSK were struggling at 126/6 when Khaleel Ahmed sent back Ambati Rayudu. The crowd, however, cheered as Dhoni came to the crease. Although Dhoni hit a quickfire 20 off nine balls, he reserved himself from converting ones into twos as he has been nursing a knee injury.

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Dhoni’s cameos made all the difference as Delhi Capitals fell short by 27 runs. After the match, Pathan said that it was heartbreaking to see Dhoni limping while running between the wickets as he was used to seeing him run like a cheetah.

“Seeing Dhoni limping thru running between the wickets breaks my heart. Have seen him run like a cheetah,” Pathan tweeted.

Last month, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming revealed that Dhoni had been “nursing a knee injury” which is hindered his running between the wickets. During CSK’s pre-season camp, the 41-year-old Dhoni was seen wearing a knee cap.

“He (Dhoni) is nursing a knee injury, which you can see in some of his movement, which is hindering him somewhat,” Fleming said during a press conference in April. “But still what you saw (against RR on April 12) is a great player for us. His fitness has always been very professional.

“He (Dhoni) comes a month before the tournament starts, so he doesn’t get the opportunity to do a lot [before that],” Fleming said. “His main pre-season [fitness] is done a month before when he comes to Chennai. I think you can still see he’s playing pretty well. So we never have any doubts about the way he manages himself and he always gets himself up to speed.”

Chennai Super Kings are second in the IPL table with 15 points from 12 games. CSK will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders on May 14 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk.