Former India cricketer Laxman Sivaramakrishnan praised MS Dhoni, the captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), for his incredible resilience and determination. Sivaramakrishnan referred to Dhoni as a “champion for life” and acknowledged that Dhoni played the entire IPL season despite battling a severe knee injury.
Throughout the 16th edition of the IPL, Dhoni was not in the best physical condition. He was seen limping and showing reluctance in his movements on the field. However, the extent of his injury only became known recently. Immediately after leading CSK to their fifth IPL title by defeating the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023 final, Dhoni flew to Mumbai from Ahmedabad.
In Mumbai, Dhoni consulted Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, a renowned sports orthopaedic surgeon in the BCCI medical panel and has performed surgeries on several top Indian cricketers, including Rishabh Pant. Dhoni underwent knee surgery at the Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai after the consultation. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed the surgery and said Dhoni is recovering well.
Reacting to the news, Sivaramakrishnan admired Dhoni’s determination and mental strength. He described Dhoni as a “warrior” who played on just one functioning leg the entire season. Despite the unbearable pain, Dhoni managed to maintain clarity of thought and lead his team with great focus.
Dhoni’s decision to undergo surgery immediately after the IPL demonstrates his commitment to the game and his desire to entertain and give back to the fans. It wasn’t easy, but Dhoni prioritized his team and the sport.