MS Dhoni gears up for IPL 2026 with intense training routine in Ranchi

Published - 13 Nov 2025, 18:12 IST | Updated - 13 Nov 2025, 18:12 IST

A few days ago, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed that MS Dhoni will be available for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. With the 2026 mini-auction just around the corner, the announcement comes as a major boost for Dhoni fans worldwide.

There has been growing anticipation around what many are calling ‘one last hurrah’ for the CSK veteran. Several former players and cricket experts have even suggested that Dhoni might choose to retire midway through the season. While that remains uncertain, one thing is clear, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation for IPL 2026.

As per the Times of India, Dhoni has been training diligently since September 2025, putting in long hours, battling age and previous injury concerns. He has been visiting the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) International Stadium in Ranchi regularly for the past two months. The venue, located about 10 kilometres from his home, has become his primary training base as he focuses on getting match-ready for the upcoming season.

“He is just doing the Mahi things that he has done all his life — working hard,” a JSCA official said as quoted by TOI.

When it comes to the former Indian captain’s daily routine, Dhoni follows a disciplined training schedule. He arrives at the JSCA International Stadium around 1:30 pm and begins his session with an hour-long workout in the gym. After that, he heads to the nets, where he spends the next two hours focusing on his batting, with particular emphasis on power-hitting, an area he is keen to refine since he has faced only a limited number of deliveries in the IPL over the past few seasons.

With the Ranji Trophy currently underway, Dhoni does not always get access to the centre wicket. However, whenever the opportunity arises, he conducts match-simulation practice to recreate game-like scenarios. To wrap up his training, the veteran cricketer spends about 30 minutes swimming before heading home around 6 pm, effectively dedicating four and a half hours each day to maintaining his fitness and form ahead of IPL 2026.

“His routine has been fixed for the last two months. He comes to the stadium at 1:30 pm, hits the gym for an hour, then pads up and does power-hitting training in the nets for two hours. If the centre wicket is available and no match is happening, he also does match simulations. Mahi signs out after a swimming session for another half an hour. He leaves the complex at 6 pm,” JSCA official said.