MS Dhoni officially begins his IPL 2026 preparations. Watch the viral practice video from Ranchi as the CSK legend gears up for a record-breaking season at 44.
New Delhi/Ranchi: The “Thala” fever has officially returned. In a move that has sent waves of excitement through the global cricket community, legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni has kicked off his preparations for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Despite being 44 years old, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) icon was recently spotted honing his skills in the nets, signaling an unwavering commitment to the franchise he has led to five historic titles.
The Viral Practice Session Video
CSK is trying to win a record championship. They posted a cool video on their Instagram page. This video shows Dhoni practicing his batting. The video was taken at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, in Ranchi. In this video CSK shows Dhoni working hard on his defense and his special back-foot shots. CSK is sharing this video. It is very interesting to watch Dhoni bat. The video of Dhoni is getting a lot of attention because CSK is sharing it on their Instagram handle.
The post, captioned “A treat, every time he bats. Superfans, you know what time it is,” quickly went viral, amassing millions of views and re-igniting the hype for the upcoming summer season.
Preparation in the Hometown
Dhonis training is really tough. We can see this from the official Chennai Super Kings videos. There are also some videos, from the Jharkhand State Cricket Association. In these videos Dhoni looks very calm. Is talking to his old teammate Saurabh Tiwary. Then Dhoni gets ready to practice. Dhoni is still working hard on his cricket training.
Dressed in his iconic yellow pads, Dhoni’s appearance has sparked fresh speculation: Is this the beginning of a “final dance,” or does the veteran have even more seasons left in the tank?
Dhoni Legacy
Dhoni’s return to the nets comes during a strategic transition for CSK. While Ruturaj Gaikwad continues to lead the side on the field, the franchise continues to lean heavily on Dhoni’s tactical acumen and finishing abilities.
Dhoni’s IPL Stats at a Glance: Total Runs: 5,000+, Strike Rate135.0+, IPL Titles: 5Seasons with CSK17 (Estimated)
Since retiring from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni has turned the IPL into his personal stage, continuing to captivate audiences with his famous helicopter shots. As the March 2026 start date approaches, the intensity in Ranchi suggests that “Thala” isn’t just showing up to play—he’s showing up to win. For the CSK faithful, the sight of Dhoni in the nets is the first sign that another season of magic is just around the corner.
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