Excitement around the much-awaited Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians clash has intensified as signs point towards a possible return for MS Dhoni in IPL 2026. Ahead of the high-voltage contest at the Wankhede Stadium, the veteran cricketer was seen actively training while also sharing a light-hearted moment with an AI-powered robotic dog named “Champak.”
During a break in practice, Dhoni spent time interacting with the robotic dog, attempting to make it mimic his gestures. The fun interaction quickly grabbed attention among fans and onlookers. However, beyond the playful moment, Dhoni’s intense practice session strongly indicated that the 44-year-old is preparing for a comeback.
On Tuesday, Dhoni completed his first full wicketkeeping session of IPL 2026. He later spent considerable time batting in the nets against fast bowlers and throwdown specialists. The former CSK captain has missed the team’s opening 6 matches due to a calf strain, but his extended training session on Wednesday suggested that he is nearing full fitness ahead of one of the biggest rivalries of the tournament.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also added to the speculation through his YouTube channel, “Ash Ki Baat.” Ashwin expressed confidence that Dhoni is likely to feature against Mumbai Indians, either as the primary wicketkeeper or as an Impact Player.
“I have never seen MS Dhoni keeping the wickets in the nets. This means he will be keeping in place of Sanju Samson. Or he might be used as an Impact player,” Ashwin noted. He further highlighted Dhoni’s importance in pressure situations, especially after CSK struggled to finish their recent match against Hyderabad.
CSK currently sit at the 8th spot in the IPL 2026 points table and will look towards Dhoni’s experience and finishing ability during crucial moments. As the final decision on his availability is expected on Thursday, Dhoni’s presence at the Wankhede has already energized the Yellow Army ahead of the marquee clash.
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