MS Dhoni is probably the oldest cricketer to feature in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League. He is 41 but still going strong. However, with his growing age, his reflexes and speed have slowed.
Adding to that, the CSK skipper is also nursing a knee injury. But despite all that, Thala Dhoni has delivered some impactful cameos in the IPL 2023. Coming to bat down the order, MSD has scored runs over the strike rate of 200, which is just unbearable at his age.
In the 27-run win over the Delhi Capitals, Dhoni played an important role and played a blinder cameo of 20 off 9, with two maximums and one four. But the whole world noticed the struggles of the CSK skipper while running between the wickets.
Former Indian all-rounder and 2007 T20 World Cup-winning member Irfan Pathan couldn’t stop his emotions after watching Dhoni limp during the DC clash at Chepauk Stadium on Wednesday. The CSK skipper came out to bat when his team was struggling at 126/6.
He smashed Khaleel Ahmed for 20 runs in the 19th over but was seen not taking much risk while running for singles due to his knee issue. Pathan got emotional after watching MSD struggle and tweeted, “Seeing Dhoni limping thru running between the wickets breaks my heart. Have seen him run like a cheetah.”
Notably, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed earlier that the skipper is nursing a knee injury, which is one of the reasons that he is avoiding batting up the order in the batting lineup. But despite all this, the CSK skipper has done a tremendous job with the bat.
His contributions have made a big difference in some games. The four-time champion is currently in second place on the points table with 15 points, and they are almost through to the playoffs. CSK will face Kolkata Knight Riders in their next game on Sunday at Chepauk Stadium.