Former India captain MS Dhoni underwent successful left knee surgery at a hospital in Mumbai on Thursday, raising hopes of his participation in the upcoming 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). After leading the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to their fifth IPL title, Dhoni flew to Mumbai from Ahmedabad following the final and consulted renowned sports orthopedic surgeon Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, who is also a member of the BCCI medical panel and has performed surgeries on several top Indian cricketers, including Rishabh Pant.
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed the news, stating, “Yes, Dhoni has had a successful knee surgery at the Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai on Thursday. He is doing fine, and the surgery took place in the morning. I don’t have all the details yet about the nature of the surgery and other specifics.” Dhoni is expected to be discharged from the hospital in a day or two, and he will then begin a period of rest before commencing an extensive rehabilitation process. With the surgery completed at this stage, it is anticipated that he will have sufficient time to regain fitness ahead of the next IPL season.
Throughout the IPL 2023 season, Dhoni had been playing with heavy strapping on his left knee. Although he appeared fine while keeping wicket, he was occasionally seen batting as low as No. 8 and seemed somewhat restricted in his running between the wickets.
Earlier, Viswanathan had stated that the decision of whether Dhoni would undergo surgery was entirely up to the iconic captain. After the IPL final, Dhoni had hinted at the possibility of retirement but also expressed his desire to play another season, driven by the love and support he received from CSK fans.
“The easy thing for me to say is thank you and retire. But the hard thing to do is to work hard for nine months and try to play one more IPL season. The body has to hold up. But the amount of love I have received from CSK fans, it would be a gift for them to play one more season,” Dhoni had said.
He also emphasized the emotional connection he shares with the CSK fans and the motivation he draws from their support. Dhoni’s statement indicated his willingness to return to the field and continue playing his unique and unconventional style of cricket.
The surgery on Dhoni’s left knee is a crucial step in his recovery process. With ample time for rehabilitation and regaining fitness, he aims to make a comeback for CSK in the next IPL season. The surgery, followed by rehabilitation, will enable Dhoni to address any lingering issues and ensure that he is physically prepared to contribute to the team’s success.
The successful knee surgery brings hope and optimism for Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s future in cricket. Fans eagerly await his return to the IPL, as his presence on the field and his leadership have made a significant impact on CSK and the entire league.
