Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey issued the most detailed update on MS Dhoni’s fitness yet, saying that the franchise legend is now fit to bat and is ‘progressing nicely’ getting
running fit. Though Hussey couldn’t tell when Dhoni would return to CSK’s starting lineup, he confirmed the 44-year-old was in the final few steps of getting confidence back in his body.
Dhoni picked up a calf injury before the season began. While CSK only mentioned he was ruled out for the first two weeks of the season, Dhoni has missed over three weeks now. Some reports claim he could be back for either Thursday’s match against rivals Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium or Sunday’s afternoon clash with Gujarat Titans at home, the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk.
“He’s progressing nicely with his rehab,” Hussey said in the pre-match press conference. “And look, I’m a batting coach, and I’m happy with how he’s batting. As you saw yesterday at training, he’s batting well. He was very happy with where his batting is at,” he added.
“He’s just progressing with his running, because obviously he’s going to bat towards the back-end of the innings, he’s going to scurry off to those twos and things like that. So he just needs to get confidence in his running and build that speed up. Look, I don’t know when he’s going to play, but I am hoping it’s sooner rather than later, like all the fans are,” Hussey said.
Who would Dhoni replace?
Dhoni’s poses a tricky selection call for the Super Kings. Although CSK lost their last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, their over Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals showed good balance, especially in the finishing roles where Sarfaraz Khan and Shivam Dube have delivered.
Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has struggled with the bat but is unlikely to be dropped, leaving management to decide if Dhoni’s return would actually improve a settled XI.
