Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming provided a worrying update on MS Dhoni's injury as the wait for him to return to action continues. CSK's playoff hopes suffered a major blow after suffering a defeat against the Gujarat Titans (GT) by eight wickets on Sunday (April 26). They have now lost five of their eight games in the season, which means they are entering a situation where all games will be must-win matches for them to avoid not making the second round for the third year in a row.
Two days before their opening game, CSK had revealed that Dhoni will miss the first two weeks of action due to a calf injury. However, it has been a month since that statement, and he is set to play for them. Fleming revealed that Dhoni had reinjured himself during a warm-up game, and hence no risks are being taken before he makes a comeback.
"He's pretty keen. The calf is a tough one though, if he takes off and rips the calf again, then he will be gone. So we pushed it early, in the warm-up game he tweaked it again, it's my understanding, and since then he has been just working hard to get some movement into it, but there was a setback, so it has taken longer than we thought.He is the guide on this one, and he's working hard with the physio and doing all the rehab, and we're just waiting for the word really. But all I can keep saying is stop making light of it, as he is progressing and doing everything he can," said Fleming in a post-match press conference.
Meanwhile, CSK's batting coach Mike Hussey had claimed in an interview during their win against MI that running between the wickets remained the issue. The Australian had confirmed that Dhoni would take the gloves fromSamsonwhen he returned and ruled out any chance of him playing as an impact sub.
“Oh, I’m pretty sure he’ll be behind the stumps. The biggest thing for him is that he’s had the calf injury, it’s just the running and late in innings, if he comes in, having to scamper those ones and twos, he just needs to make sure the calf is strong enough to withstand that.But certainly from a skill perspective, we know what he can do as a keeper. We know he’s batting, he’s batting really well, so it’s just hopefully getting that confidence in the calf,” Hussey told Jiostar.
In recent days, Dhoni has been spotted training with full intensity in practice sessions. Not only has he completed his batting sessions, but he has also undergone wicketkeeping drills.
CSK's next outing is six days away, which will give Dhoni more time to recover. The Super Kings will host MI on Saturday (May 2) at Chepauk.
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