IPL 2026: Good news for 'Thala' fans? Chennai Super Kings video sparks speculation over MS Dhoni's return

New Delhi: It was initially considered unlikely that MS Dhoni would play during the first two weeks of IPL 2026. This was confirmed by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) themselves. However, the Chennai Super Kings have now delivered some good news to their fans. Although there has been no official announcement regarding his return yet, a video shared by CSK on their official 'X' handle suggests that MS Dhoni might make a comeback sooner than expected. This comes as monumental news for MS Dhoni's legion of admirers.

Why was Dhoni sidelined?

In fact, just prior to the start of IPL 2026, CSK had announced that Dhoni would remain sidelined for the first two weeks of the tournament due to a calf strain. However, in the video that has now surfaced, MS Dhoni is seen heading into the nets with his kit bag. This has led fans to speculate that they might witness MS Dhoni's return to the field very soon. Nevertheless, if you observe the video closely, you will notice that there is still a slight stiffness in his leg, as a calf strain typically requires some time to heal completely.

What did the CSK video of MS Dhoni show?

The video also shows him walking alongside another individual—presumably a member of the support staff. Dhoni can be heard advising the man to keep his distance from the cameraman, while CSK captioned the post in Tamil: "One in a million." Indeed, Dhoni is not merely one in a million, but truly one in a billion. MS Dhoni belongs to an elite group of players who are playing in their 19th consecutive season. Despite being over 44 years of age, he remains ready to take the field and conquer the season for the CSK faithful.

How did CSK perform in campaign opener?

The Chennai Super Kings suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Rajasthan Royals in their opening match; however, Chennai is now poised to play its first match on its home ground. Yet, the video shared by Star Sports clearly suggests that MS Dhoni has entered the nets primarily to test his fitness; he was seen batting only against slow-paced bowling and was not moving his feet extensively. This leads to the inference that he is unlikely to be available for the match scheduled for April 3.