NEW DELHI: MS Dhoni is still waiting to make his appearance in an IPL 2026 match, and the pause has only heightened the excitement among Chennai Super Kings supporters. The wicketkeeper-batter has been dealing with a calf injury picked up just before the tournament kicked off in the late stage of last month. With CSK set to take on Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, fans are now watching every training detail for signs that Dhoni is ready to return.
A day ahead of the contest, Dhoni brought a lighter mood to the venue as members of the camera team, ground staff, and other working crew were treated to his playful side. During a practice session at Wankhede, he was seen spending time with the robot dog “Champak,” interacting with it as if it were a familiar companion.
Dhoni, a five-time IPL-winning captain for CSK, put in an intense training session on Tuesday. The session included wicket work, and he later moved into batting practice in the nets. On Wednesday, his involvement began with a short spell before he took a break, only to come back later for nearly an hour. That second phase of training had him facing throwdown specialists as well as fast bowlers, giving him a more realistic look at different pace and release.
After completing the on-field work, Dhoni—well known for his affection for dogs—was spotted again engaging with an AI-powered robotic dog. He spent a few moments trying to get the machine to mirror his movements, though there were moments when it could not respond the way he expected.
Meanwhile, CSK’s campaign has been difficult so far. The franchise has managed just two victories from their six IPL 2026 matches. Their most recent setback included a loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, a 10-run defeat, and they currently sit eighth in the points table.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Dhoni is likely to be part of the XI for the Mumbai Indians match. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin pointed to Dhoni’s training participation as a strong indicator that he may return behind the stumps. He suggested Dhoni could take up wicketkeeping responsibilities, potentially in place of Sanju Samson, or alternatively be deployed as an Impact Player depending on CSK’s strategy.
Ashwin also expressed confidence that Dhoni is fit and ready, arguing that his experience and ability to finish can matter significantly for CSK—especially after their struggles to close out games. He further highlighted Dhoni’s ability to strike powerfully in the closing overs, describing it as an important weapon when matches tighten and the required run rate becomes demanding.
Dhoni’s first wicketkeeping session of IPL 2026 also took place at Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday. At 44 years old, he has missed CSK’s opening six matches while recovering from the calf problem. Ashwin referenced that wicketkeeping session directly, saying he had never seen Dhoni keep wickets in the nets before, and interpreting it as a sign that he could be ready to step in for Samson or contribute as an Impact Player. Ashwin added that he is sure Dhoni will play against Mumbai Indians, noting that he has heard Dhoni is fit and prepared.
Ashwin went on to underline CSK’s finishing issues, pointing to their earlier lack of closure against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He stressed that in scenarios where a team needs a quick burst—such as 15 runs from the final five deliveries—Dhoni can be the solution, thanks to his timing and finishing skills, including his capacity to clear the ropes late in the innings.
