MS Dhoni arrives in Chennai; Thala joins CSK pre-season camp ahead of IPL 2026 | Watch viral video
MS Dhoni appeared composed and fit, dressed casually in a maroon round-neck T-shirt and blue jeans.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) received a major boost on Saturday (February 28) as legendary wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni arrived in Chennai to participate in the franchise's pre-season training camp ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The 44-year-old icon, widely regarded as one of cricket's greatest finishers, was greeted by enthusiastic fans at the airport, with videos of his arrival quickly going viral across social media platforms.
MS Dhoni arrives in Chennai: Watch viral video
MS Dhoni appeared composed and fit, dressed casually in a maroon round-neck T-shirt and blue jeans.
Pre-arrival rituals and fitness focus
Prior to his journey to Chennai, MS Dhoni adhered to a longstanding personal tradition by visiting the ancient Deori Maa Temple in Tamar, near Ranchi. He performed special prayers and sought blessings from the deity, a ritual he has consistently followed before each of CSK's five IPL title-winning campaigns. Fans and devotees interpreted the visit as a positive indicator for the upcoming season, with many hoping it signals another successful run for the Yellow Army.
Dhoni has spent recent weeks training intensively in Ranchi, prioritizing fitness and conditioning.
Chennai Super Kings' pre-season camp to commence
The Chennai Super Kings' preparatory camp will officially begin on Sunday (March 1) at the franchise's high-performance centre in Chennai. Approximately 15 Indian players are expected to attend the initial sessions.
"Yes, I can confirm that our camp will commence tomorrow, and MS will also be part of it. We are expecting everyone to be here by Sunday," CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said on February 28.
Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and uncapped all-rounder Ramakrishna Ghosh arrived later on Saturday evening. Internationals such as newly-acquired Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube, currently involved in the T20 World Cup, will join after the tournament concludes on March 7. Shreyas Gopal is slated to report following his Ranji Trophy commitments.
Assistant coaches Sridharan Sriram and Rajeev Kumar will oversee the early camp phases. Overseas players and coaching staff face potential delays due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with arrival schedules remaining uncertain.
IPL 2026 schedule
The IPL 2026 schedule is yet to be finalized, though reports suggest a possible start date of March 28, slightly later than an earlier tentative March 26 window. The BCCI is expected to announce the full fixtures next week.
As IPL 2026 draws nearer, MS Dhoni's arrival reaffirms his enduring bond with CSK and the passion he continues to inspire in Indian cricket.
About the Author
Aachal Maniyar is a Senior Content Producer at LiveMint, where she covers US sports with a focus on major leagues, marquee events, and athlete-driven stories, while also reporting extensively on cricket and global sports. With over five years of first-hand journalism experience, she combines sharp editorial judgment with real-time sports storytelling across platforms. <br><br> Her reporting journey spans leading newsrooms including Thomson Reuters, India TV, BTVI, ET NOW, and CNBC TV18, where she has worked across breaking news, live match coverage, feature writing, interviews, video scripting, and anchoring. This multi-platform exposure has shaped her ability to deliver context-rich sports and business journalism tailored for both television and digital audiences. <br><br> Aachal has conducted and produced exclusive interviews with athletes and public figures such as India cricketer Dhruv Jurel, Indian women’s hockey captain Savita Punia, and industrialist Ratan Tata, along with several emerging and established sports personalities. Her body of work includes in-depth explainers, athlete profiles, emotionally resonant fan narratives, and data-backed match analysis across cricket, Olympic sports, and international competitions. <br><br> She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, and believes in reporting that is grounded in accuracy, clarity, and credibility. Her philosophy is simple: sports journalism should go beyond scores and statistics, capturing the human stories, pressure moments, and decisions that shape the game and the people who play it.
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