"My arms can do the job" - When MS Dhoni made an amusing comment after hammering a blazing IPL fifty despite back pain

Former India captain and ex-Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni is known for not shying away from challenges despite not being 100 percent fit at times. He braved pain on a few occasions while representing India and also led CSK to victory in IPL 2023 despite a knee injury.

During an IPL 2018 match against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali, Chandigarh, Dhoni hammered an unbeaten 79 off 44 balls despite suffering from excruciating back pain. He slammed six fours and five sixes in a valiant knock that failed as CSK fell four short of Punjab's total of 197.

Speaking after the incredible knock, Dhoni opened up on how he managed to slam boundaries at will despite having to bat with a painful back. Retaining his wit despite the fitness challenge that he was facing, he replied (as quoted by PTI):

"The back is pretty bad but God has given me lot of power and I don't need to use my back a lot. My arms can do the job."

He then asserted that the injury was not a very serious one and commented:

"It shouldn't be too bad because I know what happened. And when you know the extent of your injury, you know how bad it really is."

Chennai Super Kings elected to field after winning the toss in the IPL 2018 match against Kings XI Punjab in Mohali. Chris Gayle smashed 63 off only 33 balls, with the aid of seven fours and four sixes as Punjab ended up posting 197-7. In response, CSK lost three wickets for 56 runs inside seven overs. Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu (49 off 35) attempted a fightback, but it was not good enough.

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What MS Dhoni does to stay fit at 43

While Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020, he is still active on the IPL circuit. He will be representing CSK in the upcoming edition of the T20 league.

Speaking about his fitness during an interaction on Eurogrip Tyres' YouTube channel, the 43-year-old recently admitted:

“I am not as fit as I used to be. A lot of effort now needs to be there on what you are eating and I am doing very specific things to be fit for cricket. We are not fast bowlers so our requirements are not that intense. So, what helps me in between eating the right thing and going to the gym, is playing a lot of sports."

CSK retained the two-time World Cup-winning captain as an uncapped Indian player for ₹4 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.