The legendary MS Dhoni arrived in Chennai on Saturday, February 28 to join the pre-season training camp of Chennai Super Kings ahead of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The former captain received a rousing welcome as several fans gathered at the airport to catch a glimpse of the iconic cricketer.
Unlike last year, Dhoni did not arrive in Chennai wearing a T-shirt with a message. The 44-year-old wore a maroon crew-neck T-shirt and blue jeans as he was seen coming out of the Chennai airport in a video shared by Super Kings on their official channels.
Last year, Dhoni landed in Chennai wearing a t-shirt with a cryptic message. Fans quickly deciphered the Morse code text to read “For the Last Time”, prompting speculation about his future. Although Dhoni did not comment on the report, many fans believed that the 2025 IPL season would be his last appearance. However, Dhoni went on to play all 14 matches for the Super Kings, even leading the team in the second half of the season when Ruturaj Gaikwad was unavailable due to injury.
Later in the evening, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and uncapped all-rounder Ramakrishna Ghosh also arrived in Chennai.
It remains to be seen whether Dhoni, at 44, will commit to playing all the matches for CSK, given that the five-time champions have swapped batsman for wicketkeeper Sanju Samson for
Dhoni has been training in Ranchi and working hard on his fitness to prepare for the IPL 2026 season which is scheduled to start in the last week of March. He appeared fit and trim upon his arrival in Chennai, underscoring his continued determination to maintain peak physical condition despite being in the latter stages of his career.
Before leaving for Chennai to join CSK’s pre-season camp on February 28, Dhoni stayed true to one of his long-standing traditions by visiting the ancient temple of Deori Maa in Tamar, located around 60 kilometers from Ranchi.
Dressed in simple attire, Dhoni performed a special puja and sought blessings from the deity – a ritual he famously observed before each of Chennai Super Kings’ five winning campaigns. For the large number of fans gathered at the temple, the visit was not only a personal pilgrimage but was also seen as a strong omen ahead of the new IPL season with hopes of a potential sixth title.
HOW DHONI Trained for IPL 2026
According to reports, Dhoni followed a disciplined daily practice at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) stadium in Ranchi. Each day began at approximately 1:30 p.m., completing five-hour training blocks designed specifically to build endurance for the demands of an intense granny summer.
His training involved a balanced combination of skill work and physical conditioning. He typically spent two hours at the nets focusing on high-intensity power hitting and match simulations, followed by an hour of strength training in the gym. At the age of 44, to reduce the physical strain on his body, Dhoni replaced high-impact cardio with 30 minutes of swimming.
One of the most notable technical changes in his preparation this year has been a shift in equipment. Known for using some of the heaviest bats in world cricket – often weighing up to 1.3 kilograms – throughout his career, Dhoni has now switched to a customized 1.23kg bat for the 2026 season.
Created by its long-time bat makers SS, the lighter bat is specially designed to increase bat speed against modern pace bowlers and provide more control during the death overs.
With his arrival in Chennai and ongoing preparations, Dhoni has once again signaled his readiness for the next IPL campaign, much to the excitement of the Chennai Super Kings fans.
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
28 Feb 2026 22:32 IST
