Former CSK captain MS Dhoni, sidelined with a calf strain, has returned to training ahead of the IPL 2026 clash against the Punjab Kings. Spotted batting at Chepauk, his participation in the match remains uncertain. Dhoni’s training marks a key step in his rehab as the team awaits full recovery.
Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain and stalwart MS Dhoni has returned to training ahead of the team’s IPL 2026 clash against the Punjab Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium or Chepauk Stadium on Friday, March 3.
Dhoni was ruled out of the ongoing IPL season for two weeks due to a calf strain, which he sustained during the CSK’s pre-season training. Thereafter, it was reported the five-time IPL-winning captain is likely to be ruled out at the end of April, which the Chennai Super Kings has neither confirmed nor denied.
Dhoni’s absence was felt in the CSK’s opening match against the Rajasthan Royals as the Yellow Jersey suffered an 8-wicket defeat at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Monday, March 30.
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Dhoni Returns to Training
Amid the injury layoff due to calf strain, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter has returned to training ahead of the Chennai Super Kings’ first home game of the IPL 2026 against the Punjab Kings. MS Dhoni stayed back in Chennai for rehabilitation when the remaining squad travelled to Guwahati for their opening match against the Rajasthan Royals.
As CSK prepares for their first home match of the season following their away defeat at the hands of RR, Dhoni was spotted returning to training at Chepauk Stadium. As per the report by Sportstar, the former CSK captain was seen batting in the nets amid his recovery from a calf strain.
In a video that went viral on social media, Dhoni can be seen carrying the kit bag while walking alongside support staff Kodi Anna, who offered to carry his kit bag.
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MS Dhoni, who is likely playing his last IPL season, has been struggling with recurring knee issues over the past couple of years.
In the last IPL season, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter managed his condition by wearing a knee cap while keeping wickets, which has also seen him bat lower down the order and adapt his role to preserve his body.
Will MS Dhoni Return to Play against PBKS?
MS Dhoni’s return to training amid injury layoff has sparked a lot of buzz about the potential return to action in the CSK’s first home match of the season against the PBKS at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. However, there is an uncertainty whether he will return to action anytime soon.
Since the CSK announced that MS Dhoni has been ruled out of action for a couple of weeks, it is unlikely that the veteran wicketkeeper-batter will feature in the upcoming clash against the Punjab Kings, though his return to full fitness remains the focus of the team’s medical and coaching staff.
Dhoni’s return to training could be crucial for his rehabilitation, allowing him to regain match fitness and stay sharp even while sidelined, as he continues his recovery and gradually prepares to rejoin the squad in full capacity. MS Dhoni is expected to be present in the dugout for the clash against the Punjab Kings and might play a role in taking strategic decisions during the match.
The Chennai Super Kings’ management has yet to provide a timeline for MS Dhoni’s return to action, but his return to training and ongoing rehabilitation could signal that the veteran wicketkeeper-batter is actively preparing to contribute to the team’s quest for the sixth IPL triumph.
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