Heavy training: It’s not over yet for CSK's MS Dhoni

Dubai: So here’s the good news. If the latest videos circulating on social media are any indication, the former India and Chennai Super Kings captain is gearing up for a strong return in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL).

The clips show Dhoni putting in the hard yards at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) facilities in Ranchi, just 10 kilometres from his home. A JSCA official told The Times of India that Dhoni’s training schedule has been remarkably disciplined.

“His routine has been fixed for the last two months. He arrives at the stadium around 1:30pm, hits the gym for an hour, then spends two hours doing power-hitting sessions in the nets. If the centre wicket is free and no matches are on, he conducts match simulations as well. He wraps up his day with a half-hour swimming session before leaving around 6pm. He’s doing what Mahi has always done — working hard,” the official revealed.

The 44-year-old, who captained CSK after Ruturaj Gaikwad suffered an elbow injury last season, recently spoke about his future at an event in Chennai.

“It depends,” Dhoni said. “Like I’ve always said, I have four to five months to decide. There’s no rush.”

Adding clarity to the speculation, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed last week that Dhoni will indeed feature in the upcoming season. “No, he is not retiring before this IPL,” Viswanathan said.

Dhoni’s IPL record remains nothing short of legendary — 278 matches, 5,439 runs at a strike rate of 137.45, with 24 fifties, 375 fours, 264 sixes, 158 catches, and 47 stumpings. He is also one of only two captains to have lifted the IPL trophy five times — in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023.

However, CSK endured a rough patch in the 2025 season, winning just four of their 14 games and finishing at the bottom of the table for the first time in franchise history.

With Sanju Samson set to join CSK from Rajasthan Royals in a trade deal, all eyes will be on Dhoni’s role going forward. Having led CSK since their inception in 2008, Dhoni may now take a more flexible approach — possibly playing select matches while Samson handles wicketkeeping duties to manage his workload.