MS Dhoni is reportedly available to provide evidence between October 20 and December 10 as per a petition.
MS Dhoni is set to record his statement after Madras High Court ordered a trial in a Rs 100 crore defamation case filed by the former India captain against two prominent media channels and a journalist for dragging his name in the 2013 IPL betting scandal.
Justice CV Karthikeyan has appointed an advocate commissioner who will record the evidence on behalf of Dhoni. The two-time world cup winning captain will not appear in person for the examination as his presence could lead to chaos on account of him being a celebrity.
The case was filed by Dhoni back in 2014 seeking damages of Rs 100 crore from the defendants. The 44-year-old alleges that during a Television debate on the IPL betting scandal, defamatory remarks were made against him.
As per a report in The Hindu, senior counsel PR Raman submitted an affidavit from Dhoni seeking the start of the trial which has now been pending for a decade now thanks to the involved parties seeking relief over the years.
“The above request is made with the intent to avoid any undue delay (in disposal of the suit pending in the High Court for over a decade) and to support the fair, just, and speedy adjudication of the suit. I state that I shall extend my full co-operation with the Advocate Commissioner and comply with all directions issued by this honourable court regarding the trial and the recording of evidence,” the affidavit read.
The IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal of 2013 is considered to be a major blot in the T20 league’s history. As many as three cricketers were found guilty of having indulged in spot fixing while two franchises – Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals – were suspended for two years due to the betting activities of their top officials.
Dhoni retired from international cricket in August 2020 but continues to represent CSK in IPL.
