After a disappointing performance during his last season in the IPL 2025, Dhoni is to change his training regimen. Specifically, Dhoni began ramping up his training an additional two months before the upcoming IPL (2026) season, although he had already started training in earnest in September 2025.
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]MS Dhoni Changes Training Methods with Afternoon Practice and Custom-Made Bat for IPL 2026
by K D Mishra
Dhoni Revamps Training with Afternoon Nets and Spin Practice
Recently, the JSCA shared short video clips of Major Dhoni’s training session before he began a hitting session at the request of a former cricketer and JSCA secretary, Saurabh Tiwary. In fact, former Indian spinner and joint secretary of JSCA, Shahbaz Nadeem, stated that Dhoni would be training now against spin bowlers and moving on to fast bowlers in the near future.
Our sources believe it is possible that Dhoni was likely to work prior to training during the hotter part of the day in the afternoon (12 pm-3 pm) and work during the cooler mornings on a typical day, as he is likely to have to play in similar heat and humidity as that found at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
MS Dhoni is closer to his 45 than to his 44, still he is sweating in the nets everyday in preparation to the IPL 2026.
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) January 26, 2026
All this hardwork is great but I think, its time to hang the boots. There are 2 young WKs in the squad & its their time to shine!! pic.twitter.com/4po4ZZMbBc
Shahbaz told that,
“Dhoni does gym at the JSCA whenever he is in Ranchi. Now, he has started batting in the nets since last week. We have constructed a transparent indoor net facility adjacent to Oval B Ground at the complex. It has three turf wickets one made of black soil, while the remaining two are made of mixed soils. Dhoni trains there between 12-12:30 PM and 2-2:30 PM,”
Jatin Sareen, chief executive officer, said that,
“Yes, a few bats, as per his specifications, have been sent to Dhoni. “The same bats (weighing 1230 grams) have been ordered,”
Last year, Dhoni went lighter in bats from around1250-1300 grams down to 1230. This did not turn out as expected based on the results. He had his lowest strike rate during IPL 2022 at only 135.17. However, he will use this same weight going forward since SS (his bats sponsor) sent him custom-made bats (made to order) to Ranchi for him to use during IPL 2026.
