Follow UsChennai Super Kings (CSK) will start their Indian Premier League (2025) campaign against Mumbai Indians (MI) in Chennai on March 23 (Sunday).
CSK vs MI is one of the biggest rivalries in sports history, so it’s understandable why everyone is eagerly waiting for this contest. But that’s not it; this match will also mark the return of former India and CSK captain MS Dhoni.
The 43-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, who retired from international cricket in 2020, now only plays in the IPL and is training hard ahead of the 2025 season.
In a clip that went viral, Dhoni was seen hitting CSK’s death-overs specialist Matheesha Pathirana for a helicopter shot during one of CSK's training sessions.
It’s a shot that Dhoni made famous after making his international debut in 2004 and since then a lot of players have been seen replicating his trademark shot.
In the last couple of years, Dhoni has rarely played a helicopter shot in the IPL, but it could all change in the IPL 2025.
In the video, Dhoni can be seen getting under Pathirana’s yorker and bringing out the helicopter shot, fetching him a boundary down the ground.
Even R Ashwin at the other end looked impressed with Dhoni’s shot. The off-spinner could be seen smiling after Dhoni perfectly executed the helicopter shot.
Last season, Dhoni only batted in the death overs due to a knee injury but still smashed 161 runs at an average of 53.66 and a stunning strike rate of 220.54.
(Screenshots from a video posted by CSK)