IPL 2023 | Dhoni nursing knee injury, Magala out for 2 weeks: CSK coach Fleming

Chennai Super Kings coach said captain M.S. Dhoni and South African bowler Sisanda Magala had injuries after the IPL match against Rajasthan Royals

Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is nursing a knee injury, which is hindering his movement somewhat, said head coach Stephen Fleming after the four-time IPL champions lost a last-ball thriller to Rajasthan Royals by three runs.

Adding to the injury worries, CSK's South African pace bowler Sisanda Magala too suffered a split webbing at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday night.

"He (Dhoni) is nursing a knee injury, which you can see in some of his movement, hindering him somewhat. His fitness has been professional. He comes in months before the tournament starts. He does some nets in Ranchi, but his main pre-season is a month before he comes to Chennai," Fleming told reporters at the post-match press conference after CSK suffered their second defeat in four games this season.

Seamer Sandeep Sharma nailed a couple of perfect block-hole deliveries to earn a hard-fought victory for the Royals.

Chasing 176, Dhoni (32) and Ravindra Jadeja (25) were on course requiring 21 runs off the last over. CSK's final score was 172/6 as Dhoni couldn't end his 200th game for CSK in a manner he would have wanted to on home turf.

Fleming, though, expressed confidence that the former India captain will manage his injury well and will continue to lead the side.

"He works his way back into match form, and you can still see he is playing pretty well. So we always have confidence about how he manages himself. He always keeps himself up to speed," said Fleming, allaying concerns about Dhoni's fitness.