CSK batting coach shares concerning news on MS Dhoni’s knee issue ahead of IPL 2024, says '...going to be more difficult for him'

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) batting coach and former star batter Michael Hussey's recent update on MS Dhoni's knee issue has sparked worries ahead of upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. IPL 2024 is set to start from March 22 with a blockbuster opener between Dhoni's CSK and Virat Kohli-starrer Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). 

Although, Hussey assured everyone that Dhoni's batting skills haven't diminished a bit as he is still hitting the ball as cleanly as ever. However, Hussey acknowledged that Dhoni might not be as quick between the wickets due to his age. Hussey believes Dhoni can still be a valuable asset, especially towards the end of the innings, by hitting powerful shots.

The Australian legend also mentioned that Dhoni has been impressive in practice sessions and seems fully recovered from any knee issues. This is a positive sign for CSK as they gear up for the upcoming IPL season.

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Michael Hussey drops worrisome update on MS Dhoni's knee issue

“He’s preparing really well. His knee seems good at this stage. And he’s batting extremely well at the moment. I must admit he’s like Benjamin Button! He keeps getting better. He’s not as young as he used to be. So, the scampering between the wickets is going to be more difficult for him. But at the back end of the innings, where there’s not as much sprinting, he can still hit the ball very cleanly. And he’s hitting the ball extremely well at the moment. It’s great to see,” Hussey told in a discussion with Sportstar.

 

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In a recent interview, CSK batting coach Hussey discussed some key players for the upcoming IPL season.

One of the most interesting topics was CSK's new acquisition, Sameer Rizvi. Rizvi, who was bought for a whopping Rs 8.4 crore at last year's auction, could potentially play in the opening match. Hussey sees him as a possible replacement for the retired Ambati Rayudu, suggesting a similar batting style.

Hussey also addressed injuries to key players Devon Conway and Matheesha Pathirana. While their absence for the first few games is a concern, Hussey expressed confidence in CSK's squad depth. He believes there are enough talented players to fill the gaps.

The interview also touched on MS Dhoni, the long-time captain of CSK. With rumors of this being his final season, all eyes will be on Dhoni. Fans are hoping to see a glimpse of his past brilliance as he potentially leads the team for one last dance.

 

ALSO READ: All 7 records in CSK captain MS Dhoni's name: Thala's IPL career in numbers ahead of 17th season

 

MS Dhoni's fans have high expectations for him this season. They hope to see him bat higher in the order, showcasing his well-known power hitting. Ideally, they'd like him to replicate his performances from seasons like 2008, 2013, 2018, and 2019, where he surpassed the 400-run mark in the IPL.

In some positive news for the CSK, Mustafizur Rahman has arrived in India from Bangladesh. This confirms he'll be joining CSK for the upcoming IPL season.

 

CSK Team's Squad IPL 2024

 

Wicketkeepers	Batters	All-rounders	Bowlers
MS Dhoni (c)	Ruturaj Gaikwad	Moeen Ali (ENG)	Deepak Chahar
Devon Conway (NZ)	Shaik Rasheed	Shivam Dube	Tushar Deshpande
Avanish Rao Aravelly	Ajinkya Rahane	Rajvardhan Hangargekar	Matheesha Pathirana (SL)
	Sameer Rizvi	Ravindra Jadeja	Simarjeet Singh
		Mitchell Santner (NZ)	Prashant Solanki
		Ajay Mandal	Maheesh Theekshana (SL)
		Nishant Sindhu	Mustafizur Rahman (BAN)
		Rachin Ravindra (NZ)	Mukesh Choudhary
		Daryl Mitchell (NZ)
		Shardul Thakur

 

CSK's schedule for IPL 2024's first leg:

CSK vs Royal Challengers Bangalore - March 22 - Chennai - 7:30 PM IST
CSK vs Gujarat Titans - March 26 - Chennai - 7:30 PM IST
CSK vs Delhi Capitals - March 31 - Visakhapatnam - 7:30 PM IST
CSK vs Sunrisers Hyderabad - April 5 - Hyderabad - 7:30 PM IST

 

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