Chennai Super Kings kick-starts preparation for IPL 2026

Chennai Super Kings on Sunday kick-started its pre-season camp ahead of the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League.

The five-time champion is training at the team’s High Performance Centre in Navalur under assistant coach Rajiv Kumar and assistant bowling coach S. Sriram.

On Saturday, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and former skipper M.S. Dhoni arrived in the city. The other players who have checked in include Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, Mukesh Choudhary, and Prashant Veer. The current contingent includes only Indian players, with the overseas recruits set to join later this month. Head coach Stephen Fleming and bowling coach Eric Simons are expected to arrive by March 16.

Since its fifth title in 2023 under Dhoni’s leadership, CSK has had two forgettable seasons, failing to qualify for the playoffs. While Super Kings narrowly missed out on qualification in 2024, the side finished at the bottom last year, winning just four matches.

Prior to the player auction last year, the Chennai outfit made one of the biggest moves in the trade window, signing wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals. In return, all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran were traded to Royals. In that light, 2026 is a pivotal year for the Men in Yellow.

There is heightened speculation that it could be Dhoni’s last season as a player. If that is the case, the team would want to give its icon a fitting farewell.