Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey has openly acknowledged his uncertainties about MS Dhonis future in the IPL revealing a sense of emotional investment. Nevertheless he maintains a strong sense of hope that the legendary cricketer will continue to grace the field for another two years. Following his knee surgery post IPL 2023 the resilient 42yearold has valiantly battled a persistent muscle tear throughout the ongoing season.
During the off-season, MS Dhoni handed over the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad, prompting rumors that the current season would be the veteran wicketkeeper’s final IPL.
When asked about it on ESPN’s Around the Wicket, Hussey responded:
“Your guess is as good as mine at this stage. He keeps his cards very, very close to his chest. We are hoping he does keep going. From a personal point of view, I hope he keeps going for another couple of years. But we will just have to wait and see. He is the only one who will make that call. And he likes to sort of build the drama a little bit as well. So I wouldn’t expect a decision anytime soon.”
Michael Hussey
Hussey praised MS Dhoni for his preparation and outstanding batting this season, but blamed his absence from the top of the order on knee surgery.
“He is still batting so well. He does prepare well – he gets into the camp very early and hits a lot of balls. He has been in good touch all season really. I guess we just got to try to manage him from the body side of things. He had a knee surgery after the last season. So he has been managing that from the initial stage of the tournament.”
Michael Hussey
He added:
“I know fans probably want to see him batting a little bit higher in the order, but that [the knee surgery] is why we have had to manage him a little bit and he only comes in at the back end. But there has been no one better in being able to come in and hit the ball so cleanly from ball one than MS. He has been phenomenal.”
Michael Hussey
MS Dhoni has been in phenomenal power-hitting form with the bat this season, averaging 68 with a strike rate of 226.66 in 13 games.
“MS Dhoni wanted to still be here while the new captain took over” – Michael Hussey
Michael Hussey personally stated that MS Dhoni opted to pass on the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad to ensure he remained actively involved in playing when the new captain assumed leadership providing guidance along the way.
Gaikwad assumed leadership from MS Dhoni as the CSK captain just before their IPL 2024 season opener against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
“MS sort of announced that he was not going to be attending the pre-tournament captains meeting. And we’re like, ‘Oh, no. What’s going on? He said Ruturaj was going to be captain from then on. So it was a little bit of a shock to start with but it has been managed really well. “MS wanted to still be here while the new captain took over, to try to help him along the way and sort of mentor him a little bit. So that’s worked really well as well,” said Hussey.
Michael Hussey
Despite encountering a few discrepancies CSK is leading the race for the playoffs currently positioned third in the standings after securing seven victories in 13 matches. They are set to wrap up the league stage with an enticing clash against RCB on Saturday May 18.