MS Dhoni gears up for IPL 2026 as CSK icon’s training clip in Jharkhand goes viral

Former India captain MS Dhoni has once again set speculations abuzz after a training video from Jharkhand surfaced on social media, reigniting expectations about his future in the Indian Premier League. With nearly two months still remaining before the IPL 2026 season, the timing of the clip has only added to the intrigue surrounding the Chennai Super Kings legend’s next move.

The short video, shared by the Jharkhand State Cricket Association, shows the 44-year-old gearing up for a batting session at a local ground. Dhoni is seen padding up, chatting casually with former India batter and ex-JSCA honorary secretary Saurabh Tiwary, before making his way to the nets.

What truly grabbed the attention of fans was a small but symbolic detail, Dhoni was wearing yellow batting pads. The sight immediately sent CSK supporters into a frenzy, interpreting it as a subtle hint of his continued association with the franchise. The JSCA captioned the post, “Look who’s back. Pride of JSCA: Mahendra Singh Dhoni.”

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CSK Legacy Still Strong

Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020 but has remained inseparable from CSK’s identity in the IPL. Under his leadership, the franchise clinched five IPL titles, establishing one of the most successful eras in league history. Although Ruturaj Gaikwad is now CSK’s full-time captain, Dhoni continues to be a guiding force both on and off the field.

A Tough 2025 Season

The 2025 campaign proved challenging for CSK, who finished at the bottom of the table with just four wins from 14 matches, missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season. Dhoni stepped back into the captaincy mid-season after Gaikwad was ruled out with injury. Personally, Dhoni had a quieter year, scoring 196 runs in 13 innings at an average of 24.50.

The Bigger Picture

Despite recent struggles, Dhoni’s IPL record remains formidable,5,439 runs in 278 matches at an average of 38.30. As the viral nets clip shows, the CSK icon may not be done yet, keeping fans hopeful of one more chapter in his storied IPL journey.