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Chennai Super Kings' MS Dhoni (PTI Photo)
Mumbai: Are legendary skipper MS Dhoni and England prima all-rounder Will Jacks acceptable to instrumentality to enactment successful the big-ticket Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings clash astatine the Wankhede Stadium connected Thursday night? After days of anticipation, that could good beryllium the case. Dhoni trained intensely successful the CSK nets astatine the Wankhede connected Tuesday night. Notably, helium kept wickets for astir fractional an hr and besides batted for astir 30 minutes. The 44-year-old, who suffered a calf strain during the pre-season camp, was seen striking the shot fluently without immoderate disposable discomfort. However, Dhoni had besides been practising with the CSK squad successful Chennai earlier. CSK are presently placed eighth connected the IPL 2026 points table, with 2 wins and 4 losses.
His imaginable instrumentality would adhd invaluable extent to their batting. Meanwhile, Jacks has yet arrived successful India aft missing MI’s archetypal six matches. The England star, who was a standout performer successful the 2026 T20 World Cup with 4 Player of the Match awards, trained successful MI’s nets astatine the Wankhede connected Monday betwixt 5 p.m. and 6 pm, and besides took portion successful an optional signifier league nether lights connected Tuesday. The 27-year-old off-spinner bowled successful the nets and batted for astir an hour.
His accomplishment is simply a large boost for MI, whose run regained momentum aft a ascendant 99-run triumph implicit Gujarat Titans astatine the Narendra Modi Stadium connected Monday night. Jacks’ accomplishment had been delayed for undisclosed reasons, with the MI absorption refraining from revealing details astir his lack during the archetypal 3 weeks of IPL 2026. His beingness was eagerly awaited by some the absorption and fans. As a almighty middle-order batter and a susceptible spinner, Jacks strengthens some departments for MI.
His inclusion could unit the squad to permission retired 1 of their overseas spinners — Allah Ghazanfar oregon Mitchell Santner. Having delivered respective utile cameos astatine No. 6 and 7 for England during the T20 World Cup, Jacks besides offers MI a reliable finishing option. Spencer Johnson joins CSK squad In different boost for CSK, Australian pacer Spencer Johnson, signed arsenic a replacement for Nathan Ellis, joined the squad successful Mumbai connected Tuesday up of the marquee clash. The left-arm speedy trained with the squad astatine the Wankhede and is expected to diagnostic successful the playing XI connected Thursday night, apt replacing Khaleel Ahmed, who was ruled retired with an wounded past week. Injuries person importantly dented CSK’s run aft a dilatory start. In their erstwhile lucifer against Sunrisers Hyderabad, young batter Ayush Mhatre suffered a hamstring injury, ruling him retired of the remainder of IPL 2026.
