MS Dhoni turns wide call into a spectacle, playful act lights up CSK training

MS Dhoni's spontaneous act drew smiles around the ground and underlined the easy mood in the camp.

Updated on: Mar 2, 2026, 16:29:54 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has begun gearing up for the upcoming Indian Premier League season, and a recent clip from a Chennai Super Kings training session suggests he is enjoying every bit of it. Looking refreshed and in high spirits, Dhoni appeared relaxed during his time in the nets, striking the ball cleanly and soaking in the atmosphere.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni steals the show with hilarious ‘wide’ dance during IPL prep. (CSK screengrab)

One light-hearted moment stood out. When a bowler sent one well outside the off-stump, Dhoni didn’t just let it go, he broke into a playful gesture, stretching his arms out wide as if theatrically signalling a wide himself. The spontaneous act drew smiles around the ground and underlined the easy mood in the camp. Even as expectations build around another season, Dhoni seems determined to keep things loose while preparing to turn back the clock once again.

Recently, CSK shared a video on X showing Dhoni putting in the hard yards in the nets alongside captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Dhoni looked fluent during the session, threading a few crisp drives through the off-side, rocking back to dispatch short balls with controlled pulls, and executing sharp cut shots with trademark precision.

MS Dhoni ready to return for another IPL season

Meanwhile, Dhoni continues to remain a key figure at CSK, having been retained under the uncapped player rule for INR 4 crore ahead of IPL 2025. The franchise has chosen to stick with the same arrangement for the 2026 season as well, keeping his pay unchanged and reaffirming their faith in the veteran. With the bat, Dhoni delivered a steady campaign in 2025, scoring 196 runs across 14 outings. He averaged 24.50 and maintained a strike rate of 135.17, often providing quick runs in the closing overs when the team needed momentum. Earlier, the Super Kings also unveiled their new jersey for the season, signalling a fresh start. They will be eager to bounce back after a difficult 2025 campaign, in which defeats in 10 of their 14 league matches left them at the bottom of the standings.

Ahead of the 2026 season, CSK made some big changes in their squad for the upcoming season, with the most notable one being the trade of all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran for the wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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