Chennai Super Kings (CSK) superstar MS Dhoni has started his batting practice ahead of the upcoming IPL 2026.
The official social media handle of the CSK shared a video of him during the practice session, in which he has been seen focusing on defence and playing shots on the back foot.
“A treat, every time he bats. Superfans, you know what time it is,” read the post`s caption.
View this post on Instagram
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is also in red-hot form in domestic cricket. Dhoni, along with CSK, will be aiming to make their title tally six ahead of the IPL 2026.
In the previous edition of the cash-rich league, the Chennai-based franchise ended up at the bottom of the points table, with just four victories in 14 matches. The 44-year-old cricketer managed to score 196 runs in 13 innings with an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17. His best score in the IPL 2025 was an unbeaten 30 runs. Dhoni also led the team in the absence of skipper Gaikwad, who sustained an injury.
Fans would be hoping that the `Finisher Thala` will unleash his fury after a tough 2025 season, with the arrival of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson in the franchise in a trade with Rajasthan Royals (RR), putting Dhoni`s future in the spotlight.
So far, having played 278 matches in the cash-rich league, Dhoni has garnered 5439 runs and also has 24 half-centuries. His career best score in the tournament is an unbeaten 84 runs.
The likes of swashbuckling Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre and Urvil Patel were the best performers for the franchise in the previous season. Ahead of the upcoming season, they got 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 the tournament`s history.
Chennai Super Kings` full squad for the 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 ANI Inputs)
