Chennai Super Kings (CSK)’s legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni has started batting practice ahead of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
CSK took to social media to share a video of the 44-year-old
legend’s practice session in Ranchi.
“A treat, every time he bats. Superfans, you know what time it is,” read the caption.
Watch:
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
CSK Prepare For IPL 2026
With skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad in red-hot form in domestic cricket, CSK, the five-time champions, still have Dhoni as their marquee player, aiming for a sixth title this season. Last season, CSK finished at the bottom, managing only four wins in 14 matches. Dhoni had a lacklustre season, scoring 196 runs in 13 innings at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17, with his best score being 30*. He also captained CSK in Gaikwad’s absence due to injury.
The arrival of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson in a trade with Rajasthan Royals (RR) has put Dhoni’s future in the spotlight. Dhoni is one of the finest batters in IPL history, with 5,439 runs in 278 matches and 242 innings at an average of 38.80, a strike rate of 137.45, and 24 fifties, with a best score of 84*.
The emergence of young, hard-hitting stars Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, and Urvil Patel was a highlight for CSK last season. Ahead of this season, they secured two record-breaking buys in UP all-rounder Prashant Veer and Rajasthan wicketkeeper Kartik Sharma, each for Rs 14.20 crores, making them the most expensive uncapped players in tournament history.
Chennai Super Kings: Full squad for IPL 2026: Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Jamie Overton, MS Dhoni, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Noor Ahmad, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Gopal, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel, Sarfaraz Khan (Rs 75 lakh), Kartik Sharma (Rs 14.20 Cr), Prashant Veer (Rs 14.20 Cr), Matthew Short (Rs 1.50 Cr), Aman Khan (Rs 40 lakh), Zak Foulkes (Rs 75 lakh), Akeal Hosein (Rs 2 Cr), Rahul Chahar (Rs 5.2 Cr), Matt Henry (Rs 2 Cr).
(With inputs from Agencies)
