Former India captain MS Dhoni was recently spotted training at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association Stadium, signalling his preparation for the upcoming Indian Premier League season. The update was shared by Chennai Super Kings across their official social media platforms, instantly sparking excitement among fans ahead of the tournament.
Dhoni, now 44, remains one of the most iconic figures in IPL history. Across 278 IPL appearances, the wicketkeeper-batter has amassed 5,439 runs at an impressive average of 38.30, complemented by a strike rate of 137.46. While his role has evolved over the years, his influence within the CSK setup remains undiminished.
Last season, the Ranchi-born was entrusted with captaincy duties once again after regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out due to injury. Despite limited match exposure, Dhoni’s tactical acumen and calm leadership were evident as he guided the side through a challenging campaign. His last appearance in competitive cricket came during the 2025 season of the IPL on May 25.
Watch MS Dhoni’s net session here:
A treat, every time he bats 🥳✨
Superfans, you know what time it is 🔜🦁#WhistlePodu
🎥 : Jharkhand cricket association pic.twitter.com/VY6okLqVVC— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 26, 2026
In the 2025 season, Dhoni played 13 innings, scoring 196 runs at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17. Having transitioned into a lower-order finisher, he continues to serve as a reliable power-hitting option while offering invaluable experience behind the stumps and in the field. His game awareness and decision-making are expected to play a key mentoring role for Gaikwad as he resumes captaincy.
The five-time champions made headlines during the pre-season trade window with a high-profile trade involving Sanju Samson, bringing him in from Rajasthan Royals in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. The franchise also invested heavily in youth, acquiring uncapped Indian talents Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma for ₹14.20 crore each, underlining their intent to rebuild aggressively.
After finishing at the bottom of the table last season with just four wins from ten matches, CSK will be keen to stage a strong comeback. With Dhoni’s presence still anchoring the side, the franchise will hope his experience and leadership can help restore their trademark consistency in the upcoming campaign.
Chennai Super Kings squad for IPL 2026:
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, MS Dhoni (wk), Anshul Kamboj, Dewald Brevis, Gurjapneet Singh, Nathan Ellis, Jamie Overton, Mukesh, Choudhary, Ramakrishna, Ghosh, Shreyas Gopal, Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel (wk), Zakary Foulkes, Rahul Chahar, Matt Henry, Sarfaraz Khan, Aman Khan, Matthew Short, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Akeal Hosein
