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It was the worst possible start of MS Dhoni's IPL 2026 season; the calf infection made him miss the opening match of CSK against Rajasthan Royals on March 30, and the five-time champions lost the match by a margin of 8 wickets, making only 127 runs on board. The first time in the history of 277 T20 games CSK did not have both Dhoni and Suresh Raina in the playing XI was a historical and painful moment in the history of the fans.

However, on April 1 a viral video changed all that. As we were caught on camera, Dhoni was going to the nets at MA Chidambaram Stadium with his equipment, batting confidently, hitting the ball where he wanted, and with no noticeable trace of suffering. CSK posted the clip officially, and the fans went into a frenzy.

The tall question now will be, will Thala play again in CSK vs. RCB in Chinnaswamy on April 5? Though CSK did not announce any revised time, the net session has generated enormous speculation. Dhoni has missed what might otherwise have been considered an eternity with hardly anyone thinking of his retirement at 44 when it might seem to many that his illustrious period may be his last and last IPL season. Thala does not make them wait and neither do his fans.