By match day, the buzz around the stadium wasn’t about if Dhoni would play, but how much he would feature. And then, just as quickly, the excitement evaporated.  | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

The M.S. Dhoni frenzy, building steadily with each passing season, has reached a near-fever pitch this year. Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will the former captain finally step onto the field?

Ahead of the clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team’s official Instagram account only heightened the anticipation, teasing Dhoni’s arrival in the City of Pearls. Yet, at Friday’s training session, the 44-year-old kept things low-key, alternating between light jogging and a casual game of foot-volley alongside Sanju Samson, Sarfaraz Khan, and a few others.

Head coach Stephen Fleming remained predictably tight-lipped, offering little beyond the standard line that Dhoni was “progressing well” in his recovery. But just when it seemed like another day of speculation would drift by unanswered, a late twist reignited belief.

As the squad wrapped up and disappeared into the depths of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Dhoni emerged once more – this time fully padded up, bat in hand. Facing a handful of side-arm throwdowns, he unleashed a flurry of towering hits, punctuated by his signature helicopter shot.

Word spread instantly. By match day, the buzz around the stadium wasn’t about if Dhoni would play, but how much he would feature.

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And then, just as quickly, the excitement evaporated. At the toss, Dhoni’s name was nowhere to be found – not even among the impact substitutes.

Back to square one. Back to the waiting game. And once again, the question lingers: when will he finally return? Or maybe more importantly, will he?

Published on Apr 18, 2026