NEW DELHI: Former India World Cup-winning captain and Chennai Super Kings legend MS Dhoni has kicked off his training in Ranchi ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

The Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) shared a short video on their official Instagram, showing Dhoni donning his pads and picking up his bat, celebrating the return of the hometown hero.

The post was captioned: "Look who's back. Pride of JSCA: Mahendra Singh Dhoni."

With skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad in blazing form in domestic cricket, CSK, the five-time IPL champions, still have 44-year-old superstar MS Dhoni as their marquee player, aiming to add a sixth title to their illustrious history this season.

Last year, CSK struggled, finishing at the bottom of the table with just four wins in 14 matches. Dhoni endured a quiet season, scoring 196 runs in 13 innings at an average of 24.50 with a strike rate of 135.17 and a top score of 30*. He also captained the side in Gaikwad's absence due to injury, but couldn’t turn the tide for the franchise.

Fans will be hoping the 'Finisher Thala' bounces back this season, especially with the arrival of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson in a trade from Rajasthan Royals (RR), which has also sparked speculation about Dhoni's long-term future with CSK.

Dhoni remains one of the greatest IPL batters ever, amassing 5,439 runs in 278 matches and 242 innings at an average of 38.30, with a strike rate of 137.45. He has smashed 24 fifties, with a career-best score of 84*.