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Watch: MS Dhoni transforms into unexpected new role ahead of IPL 2026 comeback
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni recently showcased an unexpected skill during a practice session ahead of the IPL 2026 match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Dhoni was seen bowling spin in the training nets, taking on a surprising role ahead of his comeback following an injury layoff.
The Indian Premier League 2026 season has entered a crucial phase with teams battling for playoff qualification. Chennai Super Kings, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, are currently at sixth on the 10-team points table after winning five of their first ten matches. They recovered strongly after a difficult start to the season. michezonews.co.za
MS Dhoni Bowls In CSK Training Session, Viral Video Surprises Fans
MS Dhoni humorously expressed his desire to take a wicket during a recent Chennai Super Kings training session. In a viral video shared by Chennai Super Kings on X (formerly Twitter), the veteran cricketer jokingly said that he also wanted to pick up a wicket with the ball.
The Chennai Super Kings social media team expressed delight after seeing MS Dhoni bowl during the practice session. Sharing the short clip on their official X account, the franchise used a playful caption to highlight the fun moment involving the veteran cricketer.
Just too AdoraBOWL! 🦁💛 #WhistlePodu #Yellove pic.twitter.com/pkIAGszBE7
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 7, 2026
His absence has disappointed many fans, with large crowds still arriving at stadiums wearing his iconic jersey number. Speculation continues around the possibility of this being his final IPL season. The franchise has repeatedly maintained that the legendary wicketkeeper-batter is expected to return later in the campaign.
MS Dhoni Yet To Play In IPL 2026 Due To Recurring Knee And Calf Injuries
MS Dhoni has not played a match this season because of recurring knee and calf injuries. Although he has continued practicing in the nets, he has mostly remained at the team hotel on matchdays. During IPL 2025, Dhoni scored under 200 runs at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17.
In Dhoni’s absence, Sanju Samson has taken over the primary wicketkeeping duties for Chennai Super Kings. The Kerala batter joined the franchise through a pre-auction trade and recently won the Player of the Tournament award during the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Sanju Samson has scored 402 runs in 10 matches this season. He has also registered two unbeaten centuries during the campaign, including 115 against Delhi Capitals and 101 against Mumbai Indians, making him Chennai Super Kings’ leading run-scorer this year.
Chennai Super Kings to Face Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday
Sanju Samson recently played a brilliant, unbeaten innings of 87 runs off 52 balls against the Delhi Capitals. He guided Chennai Super Kings to a successful chase of 156 runs on May 5 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, helping the team secure an important victory.
Sanju Samson is currently at sixth on the list of highest run-scorers in IPL 2026. If he scores another 98 runs in Chennai Super Kings’ remaining league matches, he will become the first wicketkeeper from the franchise to score 500 runs in a single IPL season.
The Chennai-based franchise will take on Rishabh Pant-led Lucknow Super Giants in their next match at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday, May 10.
IPL 2026 hit by fresh scandal! Anti-corruption unit reports major anomalies to BCCI
Fresh controversy erupts amid the ongoing IPL 2026 season. After several incidents of indiscipline, the BCCI now has reports that claim several anomalies involving the actions of players, officials, and sometimes team owners.
The ongoing IPL season has witnessed several controversies, especially regarding the discipline of players and team officials. The indiscipline has involved actions that necessitated the BCCI's intervention under the circumstances.
However, the actions have usually involved incidents of indiscipline or breach of code of conduct, but have not involved any kind of malpractice or act of corruption. However, the BCCI had adopted the measure to uphold the integrity of the world's best T20 league.
ACSU reports to the BCCI, claiming several anomalies in IPL 2026
The IPL's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, known as the ACSU, has recently raised concerns over several unauthorised people interacting with team officials and players and has detected their presence in team hotels, buses, and even in the dugout.
The presence of such men in the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) during the ongoing season has prompted the BCCI to remind the franchises about the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the IPL.
IPL chairman Arun Dhumal confirmed that the ACSU has submitted a report that marked several anomalies in the recent proceedings in the IPL 2026 season.
"The Anti-Corruption and Security Unit has flagged certain anomalies and submitted a report about unauthorised persons being seen in the dugout, team bus, and team hotel during IPL matches," Dhumal told PTI.
"There are certain protocols under PMOA that need to be followed, and the BCCI will be telling the franchises to be mindful of the SOPs so that the sanctity of the tournament is restored," he added.
Devajit Saikia warns franchises and players from mingling with unauthorised people
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had already responded after the Riyan Parag vaping incident, claiming that he would take strict measures to uphold the integrity of this prestigious league. He has also added that various anomalies and irregularities have already been tolerated by the BCCI, and now it's time to issue a final warning to the players and teams.
"This time, we have observed various anomalies and irregularities in the conduct of certain franchises and players," Saikia told ANI on Thursday. "So BCCI and IPL are preparing an advisory, and we are going to release that advisory."
He further added that many unauthorised men have been spotted alongside the players in team buses and are moving alongside the players. Also, unauthorised people are coming to the hotel rooms of players and team officials, which is against the anti-corruption protocols.
Saikia disapproves of franchise owners mingling with players outside the designated area
Saikia, on several former occasions, had mentioned that players and team owners are not allowed to interact outside a designated area during the IPL; however, that has been violated many times.
"We have also seen that certain team owners and officials are mingling with players in areas where it is not allowed. So there are certain protocols we have to follow, and we have seen there are some dilutions," said the BCCI secretary during his recent release to the ANI.
He also warned the franchises and their players that after the release of the advisory, if any further violations are noticed, then the BCCI and the IPL committee will take "very stringent action."
ALSO READ: Suryakumar Yadav sacked as India T20I captain, Shreyas Iyer takes charge
IPL 2026: The win means a lot to us, says LSG skipper Rishabh Pant
Captain Rishabh Pant said Lucknow Super Giants` win over defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru meant a lot to the struggling side as they finally snapped a six-match losing streak in the ongoing IPL here on Thursday. LSG ended their barren run with a nine-run DLS victory in a rain-interrupted 19-overs-a-side contest, which also marked their first home win in five matches this season.
"It was a good game for us for sure. For the whole team it means a lot. We have been trying lot of things. Coming to the same page means a lot for us. It`s been a tough season but some times you have to go through the grind. "Definitely we were trying to put together a perfect game where batting and bowling comes together," Pant said. Talking about picking Digvesh Rathi for the final over while defending 20 runs, Pant said: "It was a tough call. We were under pressure. Rathi was the right matchup for (Romario) Shepherd."
He also had words of appreciation for centurion Mitchell Marsh. "Unbelievable (Marsh innings). We know that as a team we`ve been grinding hard. Our strength this season has been bowling, the way all the bowlers have put their heart out. There has been some good things as a bowling unit, and looking forward to that." RCB captain Rajat Patidar said they were well on course of the target but fell two-three hits behind.
"We were pretty sure how to go about the target. Boys played well and the way we stretched this game, just one or two shots behind. It was really good batting track. Was coming nicely on the bat. Difficult to analyse just after the game, need some time to analyse it." The loss meant RCB missed the opportunity to go on top of the table. "We have four games more, just taking one game at a time, one step at a time."
Patidar too praised Marsh for his 56-ball 111 that laid the foundation for LSG`s score. "Mitchell Marsh was beautiful, the way he played. Kept us under pressure. I was confused about the bowlers - who should I bowl to Mitchell Marsh just after the powerplay. The way we played, that was really good intent showed by all batsmen. Everyone is looking confident and in a great space of mind," he said.
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David Warner to ‘accept’ drink-drive charge in court
Australian cricket star David Warner will "accept responsibility" for drink-driving, his lawyer told reporters on Thursday after a Sydney court hearing. The 39-year-old faces a "middle-range" drink-driving charge, court documents showed, after allegedly being more than twice the legal limit in Sydney in April.
Warner -- one of Australia`s best-known sportsmen -- is accused of being at the wheel of a van and stopping short of a random testing site, before being breath-tested, arrested and taken to a police station.
"I can indicate that David will be accepting responsibility for drink-driving," defence lawyer Bobby Hill told reporters outside court, according to public broadcaster ABC. "So many of us make those poor decisions. I think what`s important is accepting and being accountable for those poor decisions," he said. Warner`s lawyer argued that the case showed the risk people take when trying to assess whether they have drunk too much.
"It doesn`t matter if you`re a tradesman, a doctor or one of the best opening batsmen in the world, that danger exists for every one of us." Former international opener Warner, who captains Sydney Thunder in the domestic Big Bash League, did not appear in court and has not entered a plea, local media said. Court documents showed the next hearing was set for June 24.
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IPL 2026 | This form is not going to help us: Shreyas Iyer
Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer admitted that while his side enjoyed a "fairytale" start to the 2026 IPL season, their recent slump is a worrying sign heading into the business end of the tournament. Punjab had emerged as the team to beat with six wins from their first seven matches, but have since suffered three consecutive defeats, including a 33-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad here on Wednesday.
"I feel we got a fairytale start in the tournament, and everyone was in a great space. If we are going to continue with the same form, that`s not going to help us," Iyer said at the post-match presentation. The Kings endured yet another disappointing outing in the field, with dropped catches and missed stumpings proving costly.
"It (the target) was a bit too much because we dropped catches at the start and we could have easily delayed their score by 30 to 40 runs. The wicket kept getting slower. They played comprehensive cricket, and showed us how to win the match." The lone bright spot for Punjab was Cooper Connolly`s unbeaten century in his debut IPL season.
"Connolly is phenomenal. His mindset is top notch and the character he brings onto the field. It`s something that all players can learn from him. And apart from that, I feel that he`s got a knack of scoring big runs in pressure situations." With the win, Sunrisers Hyderabad moved to the top of the points table, and skipper Pat Cummins was pleased with his side`s all-round performance.
"Punjab are a really good side. I thought the batters to get off to what we did was sensational. No matter what the score is, bowling second against that side was clinical," Cummins said. "We`re pretty good at playing it at our pace. It`s just trying to max out. It gripped a little bit, which suits our bowlers. We`ve seen it before; we can adjust."
The Australian had missed the first few games as he recovered form his back injury and was adjudged the player-of-the-match for his 2/34 that included the prized wickets of his counterpart Iyer and opener Priyansh Arya. "I fell really good. Came into this fresh. Not much has worked for any team in the powerplay, really. We`ve got lots of options," Cummins added.
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