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MS Dhoni's Fitness Secrets Revealed By Ex-India pacer, Credits Pickleball For CSK Skipper’s Condition
Former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan revealed the secret behind MS Dhoni's supreme fitness hinting at a vintage performance in the IPL 2024.
MS Dhoni in action
Photo : AP
Following his recent meeting with the captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the 2024 IPL season, former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan feels that MS Dhoni's knee is in optimal condition. MS Dhoni is scheduled to play in the 17th IPL season.
In the IPL last year, the 42-year-old played through a knee problem and had surgery in the off-season. But after CSK's exciting last-ball victory over the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the season finale last year, Dhoni looked healthy enough to captain the team once more as they attempt to retain their championship.
But to everyone's surprise, CSK announced that MS Dhoni has stepped down from the CSK captaincy role and Rurutaj Gaikwad will be leading the franchise in IPL 2024.
Irfan Pathan wondered if we will see a vintage Dhoni in the IPL in 2024 in an interview with Star Sports.
"Last year, Dhoni said he was giving a gift to his fans with his cricket. I met with him a few days ago, he was playing pickleball for two hours non-stop. His knee was fit as it ever was. It's an exciting time for fans; he now has his vintage old look. Will we get the vintage old Dhoni too?" said Pathan.
Due to his knee injury-related limitations, Dhoni batted lower in the order last season at Nos. 7 and 8.
Despite his success, the cricket champion still had a few valuable cameos, as shown by his 182.46 strike rate overall.
Irfan Pathan on MS Dhoni's role this season
Irfan Pathan also emphasised that MS Dhoni's role in IPL 2024 will be similar to that of the previous year, with him playing lower down the order and concentrating more on his captaincy. But little did he know that the former Indian captain had other plans.Last year, the captain of CSK made history by being the first player to lead a team in more than 200 games. He also helped the team win its fifth IPL title and only the Mumbai Indians (MI) have the luxury of lifting the IPL title five times.
"His role has changed in the past two years. He comes in lower-order, plays lesser deliveries but hits the big shots, the strike rate is high. It's a small innings but a memorable one. I think there won't be much of a change in that this year. He will continue to play that role, and would want to contribute with his captaincy. But there won't be complaints if he treats the fans with more," said Pathan.
In addition to his legendary captaincy record, Dhoni has scored 5,082 runs in 250 games, ranking him as the seventh-highest run scorer in IPL history.
In the tournament's opening match, CSK will take on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Chepauk Stadium on March 22 to begin their IPL 2024 campaign.
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