MS Dhoni, the player with the most appearances in IPL history, is part of Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) squad for IPL 2026 but is yet to play a match in IPL 2026 season.The 44-year-old missed the opening phase of the tournament because of an injury suffered before the IPL began. He then picked up another injury, which further delayed his return. There were reports that he could return for CSK’s match against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on April 23, but he did not feature in that game or the matches after it.While fans continue to wait for his comeback, Dhoni was seen in a different role during a CSK training session on Thursday. In a video shared by the franchise on X, Dhoni was bowling spin in the nets and said, “Humko bhi ek wicket chahiye (I also want one wicket).”CSK posted the clip with the caption: “Just too AdoraBOWL!” The video has since gone viral on social media.Dhoni had captained CSK last season after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out due to injury and had also kept wickets. In his absence this season, Sanju Samson has been doing wicketkeeping duties for the Chennai side.Samson joined CSK in a trade deal before the IPL 2026 auction and has performed well with the bat this season. The Kerala cricketer, who won the Player of the Tournament award at the T20 World Cup 2026, has scored 402 runs in 10 IPL matches for CSK so far.He has scored two centuries — 115 not out against Delhi Capitals and 101 not out against Mumbai Indians. He also made an unbeaten 87 off 52 balls during CSK’s chase of 156 against Delhi Capitals on May 5 at MA Chidambaram Stadium.Samson is currently sixth among the leading run-scorers in IPL 2026. If he scores 98 more runs in CSK’s remaining four league matches, he will become the first wicketkeeper to score 500 runs in a season for Chennai Super Kings.CSK’s next two matches are against Lucknow Super Giants on May 10 and May 15. LSG have struggled in the tournament so far, and CSK will aim to continue their recent form in those matches.
