And just when many cricket fans begin asking questions about his future, Mahendra Singh Dhoni does what he does best: He lets his bat do the talking. The moment went viral today, a video surfaced at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA), showing the former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain delivering what appears to be as effective a hit as he can muster, striking those balls at the same moment as the moment he does is a record day for him as a Chennai Super Kings team captain, significantly preparing for IPL 2026.
The video, caught by a pair of lucky fans on the ground, shows the 44-year-old veteran appearing as fit as ever, hitting the ball with the same signature power that has made him a global legend.
Power And Peak Fitness
In a 45 second clip Dhoni is seen in gear (his typical training gear) confronting local spinners and a bowling machine. His lightning-fast hand speed and a few towering “helicopter shots” that quickly crossed the practice boundary prompted particular interest from fans. And while he had knee surgery a couple of years ago and worked his workload down tight in recent seasons, Dhoni seems to be in peak physical shape. His presence in the nets so early in the year indicates he is trying to improve himself to his best ability for what some believe may be his “one last dance” in the yellow jersey.
Yellow Pads.. 👀
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 24, 2026
Thala nation, it's that time of the year!!!!! 🥳🔥 #WhistlePodu
🎥 : Jharkhand cricket association pic.twitter.com/DEbOpEFQ4m
The Never-Ending “Definitive” Season
Every year since 2020 the question has been asked: "Is This Dhoni's Last IPL?" has started to take off in the world. Moreover, the legendary finisher refuses to follow age and conventional wisdom in his own age. After the 2025 season, he was more likely to appear as a late-order cameo specialist, and people speculate that he may move into a mentorship position. But this latest footage of training reveals that the competitive fire remains on. This also sets into play IPL 2026 Mega Auction dynamics and the "Uncapped Player" rule (in which former international players can be retained at a lower cost), so Dhoni remains the pulse of the CSK franchise, not going anywhere.
Social Media Erupts
When the video was uploaded to X (previously Twitter) and Instagram, within hours, the platform was trending with the hashtag #MSDhoni. Fans posted a clip with comments such as “Age is just a number for Thala” and “IPL 2026 is his.” ”, one fan on X wrote. "The fact that he’s the one with the ball, it doesn’t seem, from the way he’s timed the ball, it’d seem like he hasn’t been away from the game at all the same."
Dhoni’s early preparations are a huge boost for the Chennai Super Kings. He not only bats and maintains the wicket, but is the tactical mastermind guiding the captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad. His presence makes sure that the “Chepauk Fortress” is always one of the most menacing sites for visiting teams. There’s one thing we know for certain as the IPL 2026 season approaches: no matter who he plays, whether at four or eight he will be playing foot-to-foot on a bat or bat bat, all eyes the world would be watching every ball he hits.
