Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan expressed strong confidence that MS Dhoni will fulfill his commitment to play in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. This assurance comes after the five-time champions retained Dhoni as their skipper on the retention deadline, solidifying the core of their squad.

Viswanathan dismissed concerns about Dhoni’s fitness, assuring that the esteemed captain has made a strong recovery from knee surgery and is expected to be fully available for the IPL 2024 season. Despite retaining only a few players, including Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK remains optimistic about their prospects for the upcoming tournament.

Throughout the IPL 2023 campaign, Dhoni grappled with a knee niggle while leading the Super Kings to their fifth title. Despite the physical challenge, he showcased exceptional form, scoring 104 runs in 16 matches with a remarkable strike rate of 184. Dhoni, after winning the IPL 2023 title, emphatically confirmed his return to play for CSK in 2024 as a gesture to the loyal fans who have supported him over the years.

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“If our leader has given a word, he has never gone back. He already told what he was planning to do in that interview. I am sure that knowing MS, he will always do what he has committed to do. He is quite fit. Thalaivan is thalaivan (our leader is our leader),” stated Kasi Viswanathan in a video shared by CSK.

Dhoni underwent a successful left knee surgery on June 1st, 2023, at Mumbai’s Kokilaben Hospital, performed by renowned sports orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala. Despite playing the entire IPL 2023 season with heavy strapping on his knee, Dhoni led CSK to victory. Following surgery, he promptly returned to Ranchi for rest and rehabilitation.

Additionally, Viswanathan revealed that CSK had considered retaining Ben Stokes, who was bought for Rs 16.25 crore in the IPL 2023 auction. However, the England all-rounder made himself unavailable for the next season due to knee injury concerns, planning to undergo surgery.