MS Dhoni successfully undergoes knee surgery in Mumbai

The Chennai Super Kings captain, who guided the team to its fifth Indian Premier League title earlier this week, travelled to Mumbai on Wednesday to consult Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, and the latter advised him to undergo a surgery.

REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO: M S Dhoni celebrating after winning the IPL 2023 final between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. | Photo Credit: DEEPAK KR/ THE HINDU

Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni underwent knee surgery at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on Thursday. 

The Chennai Super Kings captain, who guided the team to its fifth Indian Premier League title earlier this week, travelled to Mumbai on Wednesday to consult Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, and the latter advised him to undergo a surgery.

“We don’t know the details, but Dhoni underwent surgery on his knee this morning. We were informed that the surgery was successful and he is recovering,” CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan told  Sportstar.

Though Dr Pardiwala wasn’t available for a comment, well-placed sources confirmed that the 41-year-old was released from the hospital in the evening and he left for Ranchi, along with his wife Sakshi.

“He did not want to attract too much attention and that’s why he insisted on going back home, rather than staying at the hospital,” a source said.

Dhoni had played the entire season with heavy strapping on his left knee and while he looked absolutely fine during wicket-keeping, he came into bat as low as No. 8 at times but didn’t look in his element while running between the wickets.

Dhoni played in the IPL with a troubled knee and when he travelled to Mumbai, the CSK franchise deputed Dr Madhu Thottapil to oversee the process. Sources, who are aware of the development, have confirmed that Dhoni underwent a key-hole surgery, which is also known as arthroscopic surgery.

What is a key-hole surgery?

According to the experts, it involves a ‘minimally invasive technique’ that enables the surgeon to examine the inside of the knee through two or three small puncture holes on either side of the knee-cap tendon. One of the puncture holes is used to pass the tools into the knee and the other one is used for the arthroscope - a flexible tube with a light and camera.

“With this process, we get to see an image on the monitor and that allows the surgeon to get a clear picture of the joints and other areas that need attention,” an expert, who preferred anonymity, said.

According to the medical experts, who  Sportstar spoke with, it being a key-hole surgery, Dhoni should be ideally fit within a couple of months.

Who’s Dr. Pardiwala?

One of the most respected sports medicine specialists, Dr. Pardiwala has treated several sports personalities - including Rishabh Pant and Neeraj Chopra. Over the last few years, Dr. Pardiwala has also been one of the BCCI’s panel doctors.

Dhoni, who quit international cricket on August 15, 2020, said after this year’s IPL final that he will take a call on his availability for next edition of the tournament before the auction.

“Circumstantially if you see, this is the best time to announce my retirement. But the amount of love and affection I have been shown wherever I have been this year, the easy thing would be for me to say ‘Thank you very much’, but the tough thing for me is to work hard for another 9 months and come back and play at least one more season.

A lot depends on the body, I have 6-7 months to decide. It will be more like a gift from my side, it’s not easy for me but that’s a gift (to the fans). The way they’ve shown their love and affection, I think that’s something I need to do for them,” the 41-year-old said after guiding CSK to yet another title.