• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

IPL 2026: The Chennai Super Kings fans are in for a treat as MS Dhoni was seen sweating it out before their IPL 2026 match against the Punjab Kings. Dhoni didn't feature during their tournament opener against Rajasthan Royals and was not supposed to play during the first two weeks of the ongoing season owing to a calf strain. “MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain,” a statement released by CSK said. But a video had gone viral on social media, showing him walking out of a training session carrying his kitbag and also facing a few balls. Although his fitness remains unclear, his attendance at a practice session was good news for both CSK and its fans.

Watch the video here:

 

The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side will try to bounce back in their next match and will aim to give a hard time to the Punjab Kings during their first home match of the ongoing season.

They didn't have a great start during their first match against RR. The Chennai-based franchise, now a young side, struggled across all departments in Guwahati and will try to bounce back.

ALSO READ: Abhishek Sharma Scripts History, Becomes First Indian To Smash 100 IPL Sixes For Sunrisers Hyderabad

Looking at the way the pitch of the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium behaved during the T20 World Cup, it might be a batting-friendly surface on Friday.

Although MS Dhoni didn't go to Guwahati with the team, he might return to the side to assist skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad while recovering from a calf strain. Sanju Samson, who is one of the biggest additions this time, failed to make an impact during his debut match for the Chennai-based franchise and will try to bounce back at their home soil.

CSK also missed the services of their star batter, Dewald Brevis, in their first match against RR, and there is no certainty about when he will recover from a side strain.

ALSO READ: KKR Handed Boost As Rahane Signals Cameron Green’s Return To Bowling

 Sarfaraz Khan was included in the playing XI as an impact player after the team suffered a batting collapse. He couldn't bat for long despite performing well as a middle-order batter in his first IPL match after the 2023 season.

There will be increasing expectations from youngsters like Kartik Sharma as the season progresses.

Bowlers like Matt Henry and Noor Ahmed were also seen struggling against the in-form batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. They too will try to make a brilliant comeback in their next match.

The Chennai-based franchise will face the Punjab Kings, who have been performing consistently under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting.

As they try to repeat their heroics from the last year, they have found a brilliant batter at the No.3 position in the form of Cooper Conolly, who took the team across the line during a close chase against GT earlier this week.

PBKS' middle order struggled in what was supposed to be an easy chase, which will force the team to perform better with the bat.

Yuzvendra Chahal, who now looks fitter, performed brilliantly with his line and length against GT, stopping the run flow in the middle overs and taking two wickets.

Harpreet Brar, a consistent performer for PBKS, was not included in the playing XI. Punjab Kings will try to find a place for him in the playing XI in the next match or use him as an impact player.


Also In News