Team isn't surprised with MS Dhoni's show because his skill level during pre-season was very high: Stephen Fleming

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming revealed that MS Dhoni's recovery from his knee injury has stopped him from batting for longer periods. The talismanic wicketkeeper-batter played a fine cameo of 28 not out off nine balls to help CSK finish with a flurry against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in match no. 34 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) on Friday, April 19.

The 42-year-old former Indian captain hit three fours and two sixes during his 28-run knock off just nine balls as the defending champions finished on 176/6 in their 20 overs at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. However, the score didn't prove to be enough as half-centuries from LSG openers KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock helped the hosts romp home with eight wickets and an over to spare.

Also Read: 'He's just getting better and better with every inning' - Zaheer Khan, Robin Uthappa laud MS Dhoni's Lucknow blitzkrieg

Chennai might have lost the match but fans couldn't stop heaping praise on Dhoni for his awe-inspiring cameo. The veteran has been in tremendous form in the 17th edition of the IPL as he has scored 87 runs from five innings at a mind-boggling strike rate of 255.88 and is yet to be dismissed. Fleming said that the team isn't surprised with how well the experienced campaigner is faring in IPL 2024 because he was performing quite well in the pre-season camp.

"It's inspirational, isn't it? His batting this year even in training has been very crisp. The team isn't surprised with what he is doing because his skill level during the pre-season was very high. Other years he has obviously had problems with his knee and he is sort of recovering from that which is why there is only a certain amount of balls he can function well," Fleming was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

"I think everyone wants to see him for longer as we do but that amount of time is about right. We need him for the tournament and that 2-3 over cameo he is owning that space. It's up to the rest of the batting unit to get us to a good position where he can push us over the top. He is doing that pretty much every time at the moment which is great to watch," the former New Zealand captain added.

Also Read: At 42, MS Dhoni is still very fit, focussed and hungry: Tom Moody

Even after the loss, Chennai continued to remain at No. 3 on the points table behind Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders. Meanwhile, Lucknow are stationed at No. 5. Both teams have four wins from seven matches.