As anticipation mounts for MS Dhoni’s highly awaited return to the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain has been spotted honing his skills in the nets ahead of the upcoming season. Despite retiring from international cricket in August 2020, Dhoni continues to captivate cricket fans solely through his IPL appearances. His leadership led CSK to a historic fifth title last season, culminating in a thrilling victory over the Gujarat Titans in the final held in Ahmedabad.
A recent viral image depicting Dhoni practicing with a bat adorned with the sticker of “Prime Sports” has set social media abuzz. Notably, Prime Sports is a renowned establishment in Ranchi, owned by Dhoni’s longtime friend Paramjit Singh.
Paramjit’s pivotal role in securing Dhoni’s first bat sponsorship was highlighted in the acclaimed biopic ‘MS Dhoni: The Untold Story’ (2016), further deepening the connection between the two.
As speculation swirls regarding Dhoni’s future post this season, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan maintains that only Dhoni himself holds the answer to whether this edition will mark his swansong.
With regards to the captaincy, only he can tell you directly. He doesn’t divulge his plans to us,
remarked Viswanathan in an interview with The Indian Express.
Having undergone knee surgery earlier this year, Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation and is expected to regain match fitness well ahead of IPL 2024.
He is progressing well. He has commenced his rehabilitation, hitting the gym. In about 10 days, he’ll resume net sessions,
added Viswanathan.
In a bid to fortify their squad for the upcoming IPL season, CSK made some noteworthy acquisitions at the Players Auction in Dubai on December 19. The addition of six players, including New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell as their most expensive buy at Rs 14 crore, demonstrates CSK’s commitment to maintaining their championship-caliber roster. Among their surprises was the signing of uncapped Indian batter Sameer Rizvi for Rs 8.4 crore, underscoring CSK’s penchant for nurturing young talent alongside seasoned stars like India all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who returns to the team following his release from KKR.
