IPL 2023: MS Dhoni not going to be as quick as he was 15 years ago - CSK coach Stephen Fleming

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IPL 2023: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has given an honest statement and made it clear to the fans and critics of the legendary captain that he can not be as quick as he was 15 years ago.

The statement from Fleming came in response to the reports around his unavailability for the IPL 2023 opener between CSK and Gujarat Giants (GT) due to a niggle in his left knee. However, the 41-year-old shut all the claims by leading CSK in front of a packed crowd in Ahmedabad.

Fleming expressed surprise at the reports which claimed the CSK captain won't feature in the tournament-opener. He asserted that the right-hand wicket-keeper batter with his leadership acumen and batting has still got a massive role to play for the four-time champions.

“He was always playing. Not sure where that story came from. He was nursing a sore knee throughout the month of pre-season, but today it was just cramps, it wasn’t the knee. He’s not going to be as quick and nimble as he was 15 years ago.

"But he is still a great leader of the side and, even with the bat, he is still going to play a part. He knows his limitations and he is a valuable player to have on the field. He is a legend, isn’t he? Fleming said in the press conference.

The Jharkhand cricketer was seen wincing in pain after putting in a dive towards the end of the match against Gujarat at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday.

Earlier in the match, Dhoni walked in to bat at number eight for CSK and smashed one four and a six to score 14 not out runs off seven balls. With the six off left-arm pacer Joshua Little on the third ball of the 20th over, Dhoni became only the fifth player to hit 200 sixes for a single IPL franchise.

CSK fought hard in their first match of the IPL 2023 season but ended up losing the match by five wickets after failing to defend 179 versus Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat.