New Delhi: MS Dhoni has moved closer to making his comeback for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of their clash against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. CSK will lock horns with MI in a blockbuster clash at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, April 23.
Ahead of the much-awaited clash, Dhoni was spotted having a wicketkeeping drill during CSK’s practice session in Mumbai. The legendary wicket-keeper batter kept wickets when Sarfaraz Khan and Urvil Patel were batting in the nets during the team’s training session ahead of the MI game.
It was the 44-year-old’s first wicketkeeping drill this season as he nears full fitness after suffering a calf strain ahead of the start of IPL 2026. CSK shared a clip on social media where Dhoni was seen keeping wickets. Dhoni doing wicketkeeping practice was a rare sight as the CSK legend rarely dons the keeping gloves in practice.
Besides keeping wickets to Urvil and Sarfaraz during CSK’s training session in Mumbai, Dhoni also batted for close to an hour in the nets. He faced CSK bowlers before taking throwdowns, sparking hopes of a comeback against the Mumbai Indians on Thursday.
Rule No. 1: Don’t step out when Thala’s behind the stumps
Rule No. 2: Read Rule No. 1 again 😂💪#WhistlePodu #Yellove pic.twitter.com/mPYUIb3yuW— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 21, 2026
Dhoni has missed CSK’s first six matches of the IPL 2026 already. In his absence, the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side has struggled for consistency. CSK are currently in the eighth spot on the points table with just two wins from six games. They lost their first three games in a row before bagging back-to-back wins to get their campaign back on track.
CSK lost their last game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad after a poor show in the run chase to suffer their fourth defeat of the season. The five-time champions have been hit with multiple injury blows as pacer Khaleel Ahmed and young batter Ayush Mhatre have been ruled out of the remainder of the season due to respective injuries.
MS Dhoni’s return will solve CSK’s finishing woes
In Dhoni’s absence, CSK’s lower middle order and the finishers have struggled to provide the kind of impact needed in the death overs. CSK failed to chase down the target of 195 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last game despite needing only 55 runs in the last five overs, with five wickets in hands.
The likes of Shivam Dube, Matthew Short and Jamie Overton struggled to up the ante and help the side keep up with the required run rate, leading to a dismal 10-run defeat in the end. The win hurt CSK’s chances of pushing for a spot in the top half of the points table.