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Chennai Super Kings are getting closer to qualifying for the IPL 2023 playoffs as the MS Dhoni-led side won their previous game against Delhi Capitals by 27 runs and are comfortably placed at the second spot in the points table with 15 points in 12 matches. However, their legendary skipper MS Dhoni is 'nursing' a knee injury as per CSK coach Stephen Fleming while he appeared to limp during running between the wickets in the game against DC on Wednesday.
CSK pacers destroyed DC batters as Matheesha Pathirana picked three wickets while Deepak Chahar dismissed two players while Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali spun a web around the Capitals and halted their run rate as they gave away just 35 runs in eight overs combined with Jadeja taking a wicket as well.
In the match against DC, 'Thala' came to bat in the 17th over when CSK were 126 for 6, and his quickfire knock of 9-ball-20, which included two sixes and a four, helped his team to put a decent total at the Chepauk Stadium. However, the 41-year-old CSK skipper was spotted limping while running between the wickets, and former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan also tweeted about the heartbreaking moment.
In the post-match conference, Dhoni praised CSK's efforts and also talked about his role as a finisher, and instructed other players to not make him run 'a lot' while batting. After his blazing innings, Dhoni said as quoted by Cricbuzz , "This is what my job is, I have told them this is what I am supposed to do, don't make me run a lot and it has been working. This is what I need to do, happy to contribute."
Earlier, Dhoni was seen limping after their loss against RR and head coach Stephen Fleming stated, "He is nursing a knee injury, which you can see in some of his movement, which is hindering him somewhat. But still what you saw today is a great player for us. His fitness has always been very professional."
Meanwhile, CSK will next host Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, May 14, and the fixture will be exciting as both teams are desperate to win every game from this point to qualify for the playoffs.
