Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper M.S. Dhoni is on the road to recovery and is poised to make a comeback for the 2024 IPL season. After undergoing surgery on his left knee post the team’s triumph in the last IPL, the 42-year-old is set to return to training in the coming weeks.
Providing insights into Dhoni’s progress, CSK CEO K.S. Viswanathan stated, “He is doing well now. He has started his rehab and is working in the gym. And, probably in another ten days, he will also start working in the nets.”
With the IPL season scheduled to commence around March 22, CSK is planning a training camp in Chennai by the first week of March. The CEO expressed optimism about the team’s preparations, indicating that they got their preferred picks during the recent player auction in Dubai.
Viswanathan revealed, “We pretty much got all our targets. We were planning for Daryl Mitchell. We thought Mustafizur Rahman would be a good bet at our Chepauk wicket, with the big side boundaries. Luckily, it was a good auction for us this time.”
One notable addition to the CSK squad is uncapped batter Sameer Rizvi, secured for a significant Rs 8.4 crore. Defending the decision, Viswanathan explained, “Sameer Rizvi was a targeted player for many of the franchises. We were probably a bit lucky in getting him. If you look at it, we were trying to get a replacement for Ambati Rayudu.”
He further emphasized the team’s focus on nurturing young talent, saying, “We are also trying to build the team for the future, which will help us in the longer run.”
As CSK gears up to defend their title, all eyes will be on Dhoni’s return to the field, bringing anticipation and excitement for the upcoming IPL season.