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Dhoni & Gaikwad Hit Nets as CSK Revamps Squad for IPL 2026 Comeback

Chennai Super Kings have shared footage of legendary wicketkeeper MS Dhoni and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad batting together in the nets ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The team is looking to rebound after a dismal 2025 campaign where they finished at the bottom of the points table. CSK has undergone significant squad changes, most notably trading all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran for wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson. The franchise has also unveiled its new jersey for the upcoming season as preparations intensify.

Key Points: MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad Net Practice Ahead of IPL 2026

  • Dhoni & Gaikwad train side-by-side
  • CSK unveils new season jersey
  • Team finished last in IPL 2025
  • Major squad overhaul for 2026
  • Key trade brings Sanju Samson
2 min read

CSK veteran MS Dhoni, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad hits net side by side ahead of IPL 2026

CSK veterans MS Dhoni and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad train together as the team unveils new jersey and a revamped squad for IPL 2026 season.

"Dhoni played a few neat drives through the off-side, a few pull shots using his backfoot and a few cut shots. - CSK Video"

Chennai, March 1

As the five-time Indian Premier League champions Chennai Super Kings gear up for the upcoming IPL season, legendary Indian wicketkeeper/batter Mahendra Singh Dhoni and CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad batted in the nets side by side and smashed the deliveries in equal measure on Sunday.

Chennai Super Kings posted a video on X, wherein Dhoni could be seen batting in the nets alongside skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. Dhoni played a few neat drives through the off-side, a few pull shots using his backfoot and a few cut shots.

While skipper Gaikwad, who missed almost half of the previous IPL season due to injury, was seen hitting lofted shots towards mid-wicket.

Dhoni was retained by the Super Kings as an "uncapped player" for Rs 4 crore ahead of IPL 2025, and this retention was extended for IPL 2026, keeping his salary unchanged at Rs 4 crore.

Dhoni had a decent IPL 2025 season with the bat, making 196 runs from 14 matches at an average of 24.50 and a strike-rate of 135.17.

Earlier in the day, CSK unveiled their team jersey for the upcoming IPL season. CSK endured an abysmal run in the 2025 edition. In the 14 matches that they played, CSK faced defeat in 10 matches and finished last in the IPL 2025 points table.

Ahead of the 2026 season, CSK made some big changes in their squad for the upcoming season, with the most notable one being the trade of all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran for the wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson.

Chennai Super Kings full squad for IPL 2026: Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Jamie Overton, MS Dhoni, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Noor Ahmad, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Gopal, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel, Sarfaraz Khan (Rs 75 lakh), Kartik Sharma (Rs 14.20 Cr), Prashant Veer (Rs 14.20 Cr), Matthew Short (Rs 1.50 Cr), Aman Khan (Rs 40 lakh), Zak Foulkes (Rs 75 lakh), Akeal Hosein (Rs 2 Cr), Rahul Chahar (Rs 5.2 Cr), Matt Henry (Rs 2 Cr).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The trade of Jadeja and Curran for Sanju Samson is a massive gamble. Samson is talented, but will he fit into the CSK system? The squad looks very different. Hoping the new combinations click.
R
Rohit P
Honestly, last season was a disaster. Finishing last was painful for any CSK fan. Big changes were needed, but letting go of Jaddu feels wrong. He was the heart of the team. Let's see if the new players can fill that void.
P
Priya S
So happy to see Ruturaj fit and batting! His injury last year was a big reason for our poor performance. A full season from him at the top with Dhoni's guidance down the order could change everything. 💛
V
Vikram M
Respectfully, I think we are relying too much on sentiment. Dhoni is a legend, but his batting numbers are declining. At 4 crores as an "uncapped player", is it the best use of the purse? The team needs to build for the future.
N
Nikhil C
The squad has a lot of new, young Indian names. Excited to see players like Sarfaraz Khan and Ayush Mhatre get a chance in yellow! Fresh energy is what we need after that terrible 2025 season.

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