Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey opened up on MS Dhoni’s fitness before the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL)
season. The legendary wicketkeeper is all set to lead the side again at 42, as fans expect a record sixth title under him for CSK. However, Dhoni played with a knee niggle in the previous season, and he underwent surgery following the title win in Ahmedabad.
And, Hussey jokingly suggested that MS Dhoni ages backwards like Benjamin Button in the popular Hollywood movie starring Brad Pitt and he stated that the veteran is all good to go as well.
“He’s preparing really well. His knee seems good at this stage. And he’s batting extremely well at the moment. I must admit he’s like Benjamin Button! He keeps getting better,” Hussey said at the inauguration of the Pavit Singh Nayar Memorial All India inter-college T20 cricket tournament in Chennai.
“He’s not as young as he used to be. So, the scampering between the wickets is going to be more difficult for him. But at the back end of the innings, where there’s not as much sprinting, he can still hit the ball very cleanly. And he’s hitting the ball extremely well at the moment. It’s great to see,” Hussey added.
Meanwhile, CSK are dealing with multiple injury concerns before the 2024 IPL edition, with Devon Conway, Mustafizur Rahman, and Matheeshab Pathirana all struggling to be fit on time. Conway sustained a fracture in his finger and he will miss the first half of the season. Pathirana recently sustained a hamstring injury, while Mustafizur was stretchered off in the ongoing third ODI against Sri Lanka in Chattogram as well.
“Well, of course, they’re world-class players. So, it’s going to be difficult to replace them. But we feel like we’ve got enough depth in the squad to be able to cover it at this stage. But, of course, we’re going to miss them. One, for their skills, but also their character around the team as well. So, yes, I mean every team has its injury challenges. You just have to deal with it as best you can. I think we’ve put together a really good squad with a lot of depth. So, I feel like we can cover it well,” Michael Hussey said.
