Chennai Super Kings might have had some good news to share after MS Dhoni recovered from his injury that kept him away from the game. However, the veteran is yet to return to the playing XI for the Menin Yellow this season of the competition.
Chennai have not had the best start to the season in this edition of the IPL, and the fans were eager to witness the legendary gloveman behind the stumps using his tactics to revive their lost form on another occasion, after the Indian great has done it a thousand times before.
Why is MS Dhoni not playing for CSK despite his recovery?
The Indian legend is now 44 years old, and the game surely takes a toll on his body. A calf injury had ruled the veteran out of the initial seven matches into the season, but he has now joined the team in the last two matches and has also been spotted in the nets.
However, despite a return, MS is not back in the CSK playing XI. On Saturday head coach Stephen Fleming revealed, “He’s progressing well. He’s on the road to recovery and doing everything that’s being asked of him.”
However, as per the latest suggestions from The Indian Express, the veteran is yet to play any game, as he doesn’t wish to disturb the combination that has just started to settle into the competition after many games.
If MS Dhoni returns he would have to replace Sanju Samson with the gloves
If MS Dhoni returns for the Chennai Super Kings, then he is not very likely to play as an impact player, which Michael Hussey confirmed during their last game against the Mumbai Indians. He revealed that if Dhoni returned, then he would surely be seen behind the stumps.
This would force Sanju Samson to be off the field since Sanju is not often considered one of the finest fielders in the outfield. Using Sanju as an impact player reduces CSK’s options to qualify other players based on their circumstances as per games.
“I’m pretty sure he will be behind the stumps,” Hussey said when asked if Dhoni would keep wickets. “The biggest thing is he has had a calf injury, so just the running and later in the innings when he comes in, having to scamper the ones and twos, we just need to make sure the calf is strong to withstand that,” claimed Michael Hussey during the previous game.
MS Dhoni does not wish to replace Kartik Sharma in the XI
Sarfaraz Khan has made his way to the top order, as he is now coming into the game in place of Ayush Mhatre after the youngster missed the previous game. Hence, Kartik Sharma, the youngster, returned to the team.
If MS Dhoni returns he would occupy one of the positions held by the two youngsters Prasanth Veer and KArtik Sharma, who have not made that many opportunities despite bought for a whopping INR 14.2 crores each.
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