MS Dhoni missed a game for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after a long time when his side took on the 2016 IPL champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday (April 17).
The 37-year-old pulled himself out of the clash due to a back spasm and saw his team fall ahead of Kane Williamson and Co. by 6 wickets in defence of 133. However, it seems like Dhoni’s back issues hasn’t been done and dusted with. As a result, he may also opt out of the next game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Bengaluru on Sunday.
CSK CEO Kasi Vishwanath was quoted as saying by TOI, “His availability for the next game is still not known. We still can’t say. He will take the right call.”
If Dhoni misses the RCB encounter, it will add more pressure to Suresh Raina and Co. as they already lost the previous clash wherein they were down and out in absence of their regular skipper. His finishing skills and tactical acumen were missed behind the stumps as SRH easily defeated CSK. With a determined leader in the opposite team in Virat Kohli, who is eager to revamp his side’s journey in the current season, Dhoni’s omission from the playing XI will prove to be decisive in the final outcome.
On the other hand, irrespective of Dhoni’s final call, his fitness will be crucial for the entire country as IPL will be followed by the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 to be held in England and Wales from May 30. The Ranchi lad needs to stay afresh and fully fit as he is a vital cog in Kohli’s Team India.
Kohli, prior to IPL 2019, had advised his World Cup-bound players to take good care of their body and be ready to miss a few games if needed.
Meanwhile, an enormous cheer greeted Dhoni as he entered the ground for CSK’s training session on Saturday. The team was on the field for nearly an hour and a half before Dhoni walked in, just as some supporters had been wondering if he would turn up at all.
Such a fin7sh! #WhistlePodu #Yellove #RCBvCSK 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/G0AUTF9Jy2
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 20, 2019
