With the IPL 2026’s most eagerly awaited rivalry set for Mumbai, pacer Deepak Chahar shared a relaxed, behind-the-scenes moment with MS Dhoni at the Wankhede Stadium. The Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are scheduled to face off on Thursday, and both franchises will be hunting for a vital set of points. Yet the day’s biggest talking point remains Dhoni’s fitness—he has been sidelined by an injury and has not appeared in a match this season. Reports suggest the 44-year-old wicketkeeper-batter could be back in action against MI.
Key takeaways
- Deepak Chahar and MS Dhoni were seen sharing a light-hearted exchange during practice at the Wankhede.
- Dhoni is currently recovering from an injury and has not played in IPL 2026 so far.
- Chahar is expected to be part of the MI vs CSK build-up as both sides meet in Mumbai on Thursday.
- Dhoni’s possible return is expected to be a major storyline in the rivalry match.
- Chahar previously represented CSK from 2018 to 2024 and was part of three title-winning IPL squads.
Dhoni’s injury update and the Wankhede moment
A video shared on MI’s official X handle captured Chahar walking up to Dhoni while the former CSK captain was practising at the ground. As soon as Chahar arrived, Dhoni spotted a cameraman positioned behind him and jokingly asked that the camera be moved so they could speak without interruption.
In the exchange, Dhoni told Chahar, “Tum aaye, saath mein camera leke aaye… bhagao isko” (You came along with a camera… get him out of here). Chahar then responded to the cameraman with his own request—“Arey yaar bhaiya, jao aap” (Come on, brother, please go). Dhoni finished the humour with, “Haan, warna baat nahi kar paenge” (Yes, otherwise we won’t be able to talk).
Chahar’s CSK legacy and what it adds to the rivalry
Chahar’s involvement in Thursday’s contest carries extra weight because he was a core part of CSK’s setup after joining the franchise in 2018. He remained with Chennai until 2024, before being released ahead of the 2025 mega auction.
Across his time in the yellow jersey, Chahar played 76 matches and took 75 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 7.91 runs per over. He also featured in three IPL title-winning campaigns—2018, 2021, and 2023—during Dhoni’s captaincy, further strengthening the link between the two players in this blockbuster matchup.
MI vs CSK: the rivalry returns, with Dhoni and Rohit in focus
On the field, the Thursday night encounter is the IPL’s version of a classic El Clasico: Mumbai Indians versus Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium. While T20 is always about team execution, the storyline leading into the match is heavily centred on the potential return of two of the league’s biggest names—MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma.
The expectation is that both players could be back in action on Thursday, with the stakes for their respective franchises described as extremely high. The contest also revives one of the tournament’s most storied rivalries at a venue that has repeatedly hosted some of the league’s defining moments.
However, the build-up is not just about nostalgia—it is also shaped by urgency and pressure. Dhoni and Rohit are both viewed as pivotal figures in a game that could influence how each season unfolds, as their respective team sources have indicated that both icons are likely to return in a match that carries survival-level importance for their sides.
