Just days after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) confirmed that MS Dhoni would miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026 due to a calf strain, the 44-year-old legend has sent fans into a frenzy by quietly returning to the nets.
Visuals of Dhoni carrying his kit bag and facing deliveries during a net session surfaced on April 1, going viral almost instantly. Rather than going for big hits, he appeared focused on regaining rhythm and timing, suggesting a cautious, structured recovery ahead of CSK’s home clash against Punjab Kings on April 3.
The injury, sustained during pre-tournament training, had already dented CSK’s campaign. Without Dhoni, they fell to an eight-wicket defeat against the Rajasthan Royals in their opener, managing just 127 runs. The middle order struggled to handle pressure, and the absence of CSK’s most trusted finisher was plain to see.
While the net session has fuelled speculation of an early return, caution prevails. Reports indicate Dhoni is unlikely to be match-ready before the last week of April, and team management is expected to carefully manage his comeback given the risks associated with calf injuries. In his absence, new signing Sanju Samson has taken over wicketkeeping duties.
With 278 IPL appearances and 5,439 runs to his name, Dhoni remains irreplaceable for CSK, on and off the field. For millions of fans, that one training clip is all the hope they need.
