Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowling coach Eric Simons has put to rest concerns about captain MS Dhoni’s fitness ahead of the 57th match of the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens on May 7.
Dhoni, who skipped practice sessions on both Monday and Tuesday, is expected to lead CSK in the high-stakes encounter, despite speculation about his potential retirement.
Addressing the media on the eve of the match, Simons provided a reassuring update on the 43-year-old’s availability.
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Talking about MS Dhoni’s participation in CSK’s upcoming match versus KKR, Simons said that there is no one better than the CSK captain himself to judge his fitness. He also opined on Dhoni missing the practice sessions, sharing that he often trains harder at the start of the tournament and reduces his workload by the end of it.
"Yes, he's expected to play tomorrow. With regards to MS, he knows his situation very well. He knows where he is. In terms of his preparations, he always works very hard at the beginning of a tournament and then allows himself to taper off because he gets himself in a space where he's ready. So no issues, he just knows when he is prepared and when he's not," Simons said as quoted in the pre-match press conference.
Dhoni’s absence from training had sparked concerns, particularly given his history of knee issues, for which he underwent surgery in 2023.
Beyond addressing fitness concerns, Simons lauded Dhoni’s enduring influence on CSK, both as a cricketer and as a leader. He highlighted Dhoni’s role in mentoring younger players, including CSK regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was ruled out of IPL 2025 due to a fractured elbow, prompting Dhoni to resume leadership duties.
"You see MS Dhoni as the cricketer; we always see MS Dhoni as the man who is a remarkable individual. His influence on the team, his ability to nurture Rutu, to nurture young cricketers is what’s legendary about him," he added.
Simons also praised Dhoni’s impact on team dynamics, whether he is captain or not.
"His influence is always there. Sure, he now makes the final decisions on movements of fields, but his influence — whether he was captain or not — was always there without imposing. He doesn't impose himself on anybody. From selection conversations to tactics on the field to taking over from someone like him, what made it easier is the way that MS handles those moments," Simons concluded.
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KKR Vie for Playoff Spot; CSK Play for Pride
The KKR-CSK clash carries significant weight for both teams, albeit for different reasons. KKR, the defending champions, are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Ajinkya Rahane-led side needs to win all three remaining matches to reach 17 points, though even that may not guarantee a top-four spot.
CSK, on the other hand, have been eliminated from playoff contention, sitting at the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table with just 4 points from 11 matches. This also marked the first time CSK missed the playoffs in consecutive IPL seasons.
However, as Dhoni himself said, it is a battle of pride for them.
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