"Surprised to see MS Dhoni keeping wickets": Aditya Tare on CSK practice session
Mumbai, April 22
Aditya Tare has sparked speculation over MS Dhoni's possible return, revealing that the Chennai Super Kings stalwart was seen keeping wickets during a practice session ahead of their high-voltage clash against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.
The former Indian cricketer Dhoni is yet to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 as he has been recovering from an injury.
Speaking on Star Sports, Tare said he was surprised to see Dhoni don the wicketkeeping gloves during nets, a rare sight according to him, especially after the veteran's recent calf injury.
"I was watching the practice session, and what surprised me the most is Mahi bhai keeping wickets. I have never seen him wear wicket-keeping gloves in a net session before," JioStar expert Tare said.
The former MI cricketer Tare added that Dhoni usually limits himself to batting or light drills during practice sessions, making this development notable as a potential indicator of recovery progress.
"He had his helmet, pads, and keeping gloves on. He is probably testing his match fitness after the calf injury," he noted.
Tare further mentioned that while Dhoni had batted in practice sessions earlier, this was the first time he had seen him take up wicketkeeping duties this season, calling it a positive sign for CSK.
"This is the first time I have seen him keep wickets this year. That is a good sign. CSK might have him back on the field very soon," he added.
The Super Kings will face archrivals Mumbai Indians at the iconic Wakhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 23. CSK are languishing in eighth place, whereas Mumbai are placed seventh in the IPL 2026 standings.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Please, let's not rush him back. He's a legend and his long-term health is more important than one IPL match, even if it's against MI. The team is in 8th place anyway. Let the man recover fully.
Aditya Tare making a big deal out of nothing maybe? Net practice is one thing, match fitness is another. The pressure at Wankhede against MI is immense. Hope the CSK management is being sensible.
As a neutral fan (RCB supporter here!), even I get excited at the prospect of Dhoni playing. The IPL isn't the same without him. That said, calf injuries are tricky. Fingers crossed for a proper comeback!
Typical CSK strategy - create suspense before a big match. Whether he plays or not, this news alone will give MI something to think about. Dhoni's mind game is always on point. 😄
Respectfully, I think we focus too much on one player. Yes, he's Thala, but CSK's problems are bigger. Bowling has been weak, batting order unstable. One man, even Dhoni, can't fix everything if he returns.
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