MS Dhoni turned up the heat in Chennai as he had his first training session ahead of IPL 2026. The Chennai Super Kings star arrived in the city on Saturday, February 28, receiving a warm welcome from fans who had gathered at the airport to catch a glimpse of the iconic cricketer.
Dhoni then headed to CSK’s high-performance centre, where he joined Ruturaj Gaikwad in the nets. The session showcased Dhoni’s trademark timing and precision: he began with elegant drives through the off side, followed by crisp backfoot pull shots, and finished with sharp cut shots. Every stroke reflected the calm confidence and intent that made him a legend of the game.
Unlike last year, Dhoni kept it simple off the field, stepping out of the airport in a maroon round-neck T-shirt and blue jeans, without any message-bearing apparel. Fans and teammates alike will be keeping a close eye as Captain Cool gears up for another IPL season.
HOW DHONI HAS PREPARED FOR IPL 2026
Ahead of IPL 2026, Dhoni undertook an intensive training block in Ranchi, focusing heavily on fitness and match preparation for the season, which begins in the final week of March. When he arrived in Chennai on February 28 to join the CSK pre-season camp, he looked notably fit and lean, underlining his commitment to peak physical conditioning despite being 44 and in the latter phase of his career.
Before leaving Ranchi, Dhoni continued a long-standing personal ritual by visiting the Deori Maa Temple in Tamar, about 60 kilometres from the city. Dressed simply, he performed a special puja and sought blessings – a tradition he has followed before Chennai Super Kings’ previous title-winning seasons, raising hopes among fans of another successful campaign.
Reports suggested Dhoni followed a disciplined five-hour daily routine at the JSCA Stadium, beginning around 1:30 PM. His schedule combined two hours of high-intensity net sessions and match simulations, an hour of strength training, and swimming in place of high-impact cardio. Notably, he has also switched to a lighter 1.23 kg bat to enhance bat speed and control against express pace.
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