MS Dhoni Grimaces In Pain During IPL 2023 Opener vs Gujarat Titans, CSK Coach Gives Injury Update

01.04.2023 - 11:43 sports.ndtv.com

MS Dhoni had an injury as the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain was seen grimacing in pain during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 opener against Gujarat Titans on Friday.

Dhoni, who was a doubtful starter for the match in the first place, batted without any discomfort to score 14 not out off 7 balls after CSK were invited to bat.

However, in the penultimate over of GT's run chase in Ahmedabad, seemed to have pulled up after attempting a dive. Deepak Chahar bowled one down the leg side and the ball, after hitting the pads, raced behind for a boundary, beating a diving Dhoni in the process.

Dhoni, who seemed in visible pain, tried to nurse his knee, before physios were called to have a look on him. After the match, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming provided an injury update on Dhoni's injury.

cricket MS Dhoni Chennai Super Kings Gujarat Titans Stephen Fleming India Ahmedabad Chennai

Gujarat Titans roared back to winning ways with a six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings after Mohit Sharma's excellent return to the IPL and Shubman Gill's 49-ball 67 on Thursday. Medium pacer Mohit marked his comeback with figures of 2/18 as holders GT restricted PBKS to 153 for eight. Playing in his first game in the league since 2020, Mohit was exceptional in the penultimate over, giving away as little as six runs. When their turn to bat came, Gill led the way with his fine half-century as GT completed the chase of 154 in 19.5 overs, four days after suffering a heartbreaking loss to Kolkata Knight Riders. Having done duty as the team's net bowler last season, Mohit, who has also played for the Indian team including in the World Cup, mixed his pace and varied his lengths well throughout his spell.

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With 7-down Kolkata Knight Riders needing 29 runs off the last over, it was unlikely for most to hope that the side would give a fight to their opponents Gujarat Titans. While Rashid Khan's magical hat-trick had almost sealed the game for the Hardik Pandya-led GT, winning seemed to be just a formality for the side. Yash Dayal was handed the ball in the final over and the first delivery went for a single. With 28 needed off 5 balls, GT would have thought that the game was in their pocket, however, KKR's Rinku Singh had some other idea. Rinku hit five consecutive sixes and sealed a nearly impossible victory for Nitish Rana and company.

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