Chennai Super Kings Fans were excited after MS Dhoni was seen training ahead of them. IPL The 2026 clash against Punjab Kings is raising hopes of an earlier return than expected.Dhoni was ruled out of CSK’s opening match against Rajasthan Royals after the franchise confirmed that he would be out for around two weeks due to a calf strain. He did not travel with the squad to Guwahati and was dropped just before the season opener. However, a recent video shared on CSK’s official social media shows Dhoni carrying his kit and taking part in practice sessions, sparking speculations about his fitness and availability. Although there has been no official confirmation of his return, his presence in training has raised hopes among fans.Interestingly, Dhoni was also seen training ahead of the opener, but was later dropped, making this latest development even more interesting. The resurfaced visuals have now rekindled questions about whether the veteran could make an earlier-than-expected comeback.Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have endured a poor start to IPL 2026, suffering a heavy defeat against Rajasthan Royals in their opening match. Batting first, CSK were bundled out for just 127, struggling to build partnerships and losing wickets regularly. Despite Jamie Overton’s fight, his batting lacked pace. In reply, Rajasthan Royals chased down the target comfortably in just 12.1 overs, which also exposed CSK’s bowling concerns.If Dhoni returns for the clash against Punjab Kings, it will give CSK a huge boost both in terms of experience and leadership. His presence in the dressing room and on the field could play a vital role as the team looks to bounce back in the tournament.Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Upcoming MatchesMarch 30 – vs Rajasthan Royals (Guwahati)April 3 – vs Punjab Kings (Chennai)April 5 – vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Bangalore)April 11 – vs Delhi Capitals (Chennai)April 14 – vs Kolkata Knight Riders (Chennai)April 18 – vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (Hyderabad)April 23 – vs Mumbai Indians (Mumbai)April 26 – vs Gujarat Titans (Ahmedabad)May 2 – vs Mumbai Indians (Chennai)May 5 – vs Delhi Capitals (Delhi)10 May – vs Lucknow Supergiants (Chennai)15 May – vs Lucknow Supergiants (Away)May 18 – vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (Chennai)May 21 – vs Gujarat Titans (Chennai)
