23 June 2023, Mumbai: Former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who turns 42 on July 7, will be at the helm of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season next year. Despite leading CSK to their record-equalling fifth IPL title at the age of 41 with a troublesome knee in the 2023 season, Dhoni recently underwent knee surgery in Mumbai. As he recuperates at home in Ranchi, the CSK captain is expected to make a comeback to the cricket field in early 2024.
Following the IPL 2023 final last month, Dhoni promptly informed the team about his upcoming surgery and recovery plans. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan revealed that Dhoni would fly to Mumbai for the surgery and then return to Ranchi for rehabilitation. Viswanathan visited Dhoni after Ruturaj’s wedding and confirmed that he was in good spirits. Dhoni expressed his intention to rest for three weeks before beginning his rehabilitation, with plans to abstain from playing until January or February.
Since retiring from international cricket in August 2020, Dhoni has solely focused on participating in the IPL. However, the longer one stays away from cricket, the more challenging it becomes to return to action. In the previous season, Dhoni was seen hitting the nets two months prior to IPL 2023. The CSK management acknowledges Dhoni’s expertise and autonomy in managing his preparation and schedule, with Viswanathan mentioning that Dhoni will inform only Mr N Srinivasan about his plans and keep a straightforward communication approach, as has been the norm since 2008.
Following the IPL 2023 final, Dhoni expressed his desire to continue playing for at least one more season during the post-match presentation. He acknowledged that it would have been easy to retire given the circumstances, but the love and support he received from fans and the challenge of working hard for another nine months motivated him to return. Dhoni’s commitment to playing another season signifies his dedication and determination.
As Dhoni looks forward to leading CSK in the IPL 2024 season, he is expected to maintain a low profile until the IPL auction at the end of the year, around December. The CSK skipper’s experience, leadership, and remarkable track record make him a valuable asset to the team, and fans eagerly await his return to the field for yet another thrilling season.
Article by PRITESH PATEL