New Delhi: As the curtains rise on another thrilling season of the Indian Premier League, Chennai Super Kings are facing a familiar challenge: managing MS Dhoni’s fitness. The stalwart cricketer’s knee issues, which have persisted despite a surgery in 2023, continue to impact his role within the team. This ongoing challenge has led coach Stephen Fleming to carefully manage Dhoni’s contributions, often relegating him to lower batting positions to avoid exacerbating the injury.
In recent matches, Dhoni has batted at numbers seven and nine against Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, respectively. Despite his impressive strike rate and crucial big hits, Chennai Super Kings have struggled to capitalize on these late innings boosts. The decision to bat Dhoni lower in the order, while puzzling to some, is a tactical response to his knee issues, which Fleming attributes to an unavoidable attrition factor. As Fleming explained, Dhoni’s ability to gauge his fitness each day determines when he enters the fray, ensuring he can provide maximum impact without overexerting himself.
Dhoni’s knee problems are not new; he underwent surgery after the 2023 season and has been working diligently to maintain his fitness for the IPL. Despite these challenges, he remains a vital component of the Chennai Super Kings’ strategy, not just as a player but as a leader and wicketkeeper. His role is significant enough that Fleming dismissed concerns about his batting position, emphasizing his invaluable contributions to the team beyond his batting.
Chennai Super Kings’ recent defeats highlight the team’s struggle to find the perfect balance with Dhoni’s participation. Against both Bengaluru and Rajasthan, the results were unfavorable, with Dhoni’s efforts arriving too late to alter the outcome. As the season progresses, managing Dhoni’s fitness and maximizing his impact will continue to be a key challenge for Fleming and his team.
