MS Dhoni Reunites With Fellow 2011 World Cup Hero Ahead of Much-Anticipated IPL Battle

MS Dhoni and Munaf Patel’s last international appearance as teammates occurred during their 2011 white-ball tour to England.

MS Dhoni Reunites With Fellow 2011 World Cup Hero Ahead of Much-Anticipated IPL Battle

Former India teammates MS Dhoni and Munaf Patel met ahead of CSK-DC IPL clash. (via X)

In Short
  • MS Dhoni is sidelined from IPL 2026 matches due to a calf strain but remains involved in team preparations.
  • He recently met with former teammate Munaf Patel, who is now the bowling coach for Delhi Capitals.
  • CSK has lost three consecutive matches this season, struggling without Dhoni's leadership on the field.

Despite being temporarily out of Chennai Super Kings’ IPL 2026 matches due to an injury, MS Dhoni has stayed closely involved in the team’s preparations. He recently reunited with his former India teammate Munaf Patel and shared a warm picture of their meeting.

It has been a tough campaign for CSK this summer, especially without their talisman MS Dhoni, who is ruled out of the opening weeks for the 2026 IPL season. As per official reports, the veteran wicket-keeper batter suffered a calf strain just before the start of the tournament and continues his recovery. The five-time IPL-winning franchise is yet to win a single game this season, having lost three matches in a row to RR, PBKS, and RCB. 

There is no sign of Dhoni making his way back into the playing XI anytime soon. While not in attendance during the matches, the 44-year-old has, however, been an active part of the team’s training sessions at the Chepauk. Ahead of CSK’s match against Delhi Capitals at home, Dhoni caught up with fellow 2011 World Cup-winning star Munaf Patel while both IPL teams were practicing at Chennai’s home ground. 

Patel currently serves as DC’s bowling coach. A fast-bowling icon, he was a prolific figure for Team India between 2006 to 2011, for his ‘raw’ pace and disciplined approach. He played 70 ODIs during the period, picking up 86 wickets at an average of 28.86. Patel made a historic Test debut against England in 2006, where he took 7/97, which was the best-ever performance by an Indian pacer on debut at the time.

Patel and Dhoni are close associates, and the former Indian captain had even famously referred to the 42-year-old as an ‘unsung’ hero of their 2011 WC campaign, where he finished with 11 wickets in eight appearances. They were most recently caught speaking together at the Chepauk. MS Dhoni and Munaf Patel smiled for a picture, which immediately went viral on social media, and the duo even laughed and shared notes during the brief interaction. 

Patel has consistently backed the CSK icon’s captaincy and routinely encourages young players to emulate the legendary wicket-keeper batter’s ability to remain composed under pressure. He has integrated this philosophy into his current coaching methods with DC.

Faf du Plessis sees ‘vintage’ MS Dhoni in this young LSG player

Former South African cricketer Faf du Plessis was full of praise for LSG talent Mukul Choudhary, who showed off his brilliance during the team’s last-gasp victory over KKR earlier this week. Choudhary scored an unbeaten 54 runs off 27 balls, including seven sixes.

Mukul Choudhary MS Dhoni Faf du Plessis
Faf du Plessis suggested that LSG talents Mukul Choudhary reminds him of MS Dhoni. (via NDTV Sports)

The 21-year-old came out to bat down the order, with LSG at a precarious 104/5 in the 13th over of the 182-run chase. He then stood ground with Ayush Badoni, but the latter was soon dismissed by Anukul Roy. Choudhary then took charge, smashing the Kolkata bowlers all around the ground. With two maximums and a run in the final over, Choudhary took LSG over the line late into the chase. 

Reflecting on the Rajasthan-born batter’s talent, South African legend Faf du Plessis suggested that some of Mukul Choudhary’s shots reminded him of MS Dhoni. The 41-year-old praised the young right-hander’s skill and maturity in taking the match to the final over and successfully finishing it. Specifically, Du Plessis drew close comparisons to the legendary wicket-keeper by highlighting the 21-year-old’s flick shots.

It’s incredible to see the awareness to take the game through. Some of the shots reminded me of watching MS Dhoni back in the day, especially those flick shots, so much power.

In fact, Mukul Choudhary greatly admires Dhoni and revealed that he adopted the finisher role after observing the former India captain. When the young batter earned his first-ever POTM award in the IPL, he dedicated his match-winning innings to both his father and Dhoni.

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