MS Dhoni’s Training Program For IPL 2026 Leaked: ‘He Is Just Doing…’ | Cricket News

MS Dhoni is set to play in IPL 2026 (BCCI Photo)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend MS Dhoni has been reportedly sweating it out at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) International Stadium ahead of the IPL 2026 season. According to The Times of India, he puts in a four-and-a-half-hour shift at the ground every day, which includes gym work, ‘power-hitting training’ for two hours, and match simulations whenever possible.

CSK officials are on record confirming that Dhoni will play in IPL 2026, which should mean he will be retained by the franchise ahead of the November 15 deadline. He is 44 now and would be the second-oldest cricketer to feature in the league when the season starts next year. His reflexes have already slowed down, and his body has grown more injury-prone by the year. To make it worse, he doesn’t play any competitive cricket outside the IPL.

“His routine has been fixed for the last two months,” the newspaper quoted a JSCA official as saying. “He comes to the stadium at 1:30 pm, hits the gym for an hour, then pads up and does power-hitting training in the nets for two hours. If the centre wicket is available and no match is happening, he also does match simulations. Mahi signs out after a swimming session for another half an hour. He leaves the complex at 6 pm. He is just doing the Mahi things that he has done all his life, working hard.”

Last year, CSK were able to retain Dhoni at an appropriate price of ₹4 crore only because the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) allowed franchises to consider players retired from international cricket for five years under the ‘uncapped’ category.

Now, CSK are set to trade in Rajasthan Royals (RR) wicketkeeper Sanju Samson in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Samson is a wicketkeeper in his prime and could lighten the burden on Dhoni, preventing him from playing in every match, though how the change pans out remains to be seen.