Kamal Ghorui
Chennai Super Kings fans were left excited after MS Dhoni was spotted training ahead of their IPL 2026 clash against Punjab Kings, raising hopes of an earlier-than-expected return.Dhoni had missed CSK’s opening match against Rajasthan Royals after the franchise confirmed that he would be sidelined for around two weeks due to a calf strain. He did not travel with the squad to Guwahati and was ruled out just before the season opener. However, a recent video shared on CSK’s official social media showed Dhoni carrying his kit and participating in practice sessions, sparking speculation about his fitness and availability. While there has been no official confirmation on his return, his presence at training has boosted optimism among fans.Interestingly, Dhoni had been seen in training ahead of the opener as well, but was later ruled out, making this latest development even more intriguing. The resurfaced visuals have now reignited questions about whether the veteran could make a comeback earlier than expected.Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have endured a poor start to IPL 2026, suffering a heavy defeat in their opening match against Rajasthan Royals. Batting first, CSK were bundled out for just 127, struggling to build partnerships and losing wickets regularly. Despite a fighting knock from Jamie Overton, their batting lacked momentum. In response, Rajasthan Royals chased down the target comfortably in just 12.1 overs, exposing CSK’s bowling concerns as well.If Dhoni does return for the clash against Punjab Kings, it would provide a massive boost to CSK, both in terms of experience and leadership. His presence in the dressing room and on the field could play a crucial role as the team looks to bounce back in the tournament.Upcoming matches of Chennai Super Kings (CSK)March 30 – vs Rajasthan Royals (Guwahati)April 3 – vs Punjab Kings (Chennai)April 5 – vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Bengaluru)April 11 – vs Delhi Capitals (Chennai)April 14 – vs Kolkata Knight Riders (Chennai)April 18 – vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (Hyderabad)April 23 – vs Mumbai Indians (Mumbai)April 26 – vs Gujarat Titans (Ahmedabad)May 2 – vs Mumbai Indians (Chennai)May 5 – vs Delhi Capitals (Delhi)May 10 – vs Lucknow Super Giants (Chennai)May 15 – vs Lucknow Super Giants (Away)May 18 – vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (Chennai)May 21 – vs Gujarat Titans (Chennai)
