Chennai Super Kings Regain Momentum in IPL 2026 with Noor Ahmed's Stellar Performance

The Chennai Super Kings have turned their IPL 2026 season around after a shaky start, thanks to Noor Ahmed's outstanding bowling performance. Following a chat with MS Dhoni, Noor excelled against the Kolkata Knight Riders, showcasing significant improvement. Meanwhile, the status of MS Dhoni remains uncertain as he continues to recover from a calf injury. This article delves into CSK's recent successes and the implications of Dhoni's potential return.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 15, 2026, 08:30 IST

CSK's Revival in IPL 2026

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have revitalized their IPL 2026 journey after a rocky start, having lost their initial three matches. The team made a strong comeback, securing victories against the Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in consecutive games. Noor Ahmed emerged as a key player in the match at Chepauk, where he took three wickets for just 21 runs, helping to limit KKR to 160 runs while chasing a target of 193. After struggling in earlier matches, Noor found his rhythm following a discussion with MS Dhoni.

CSK's bowling coach, Sridharan Sriram, shared insights from a practice session where Dhoni advised Noor on his bowling technique, particularly regarding the use of the googly. “The wicket was favorable today, providing some assistance. Previous pitches were quite flat. Noor was slower through the air today, which allowed for more side spin and drop on the ball. He has been working on this, and the results were evident,” Sriram noted during the post-match press conference.

Noor's Journey to Aggression

Noor's Aggressive Approach

Noor had an impressive IPL 2025 season, claiming 24 wickets, but faced challenges as he entered IPL 2026. He is a crucial asset for CSK, especially in home matches, and his return to form is promising for the team. In the initial three games of IPL 2026, Noor's bowling was fast and flat, with inaccuracies in line. However, his performance against KKR showed marked improvement, and Sriram believes Noor has discovered a way to maintain his effectiveness.

“Achieving some deviation off the pitch is vital. That’s what he has been focusing on. While it’s understood that some days the wickets will be flat, maintaining an aggressive mindset and putting revs on the ball to induce spin will significantly benefit him. This approach can lead to mistakes from batters. Once a bowler becomes defensive, batters tend to dominate,” he explained.

MS Dhoni's Anticipated Return

MS Dhoni's Status

On another note, MS Dhoni has yet to participate in IPL 2026 due to a calf injury. Nevertheless, he remains with the CSK squad and is engaging in light training. Initially, CSK indicated that Dhoni would be sidelined for two weeks, but there were rumors suggesting he might return for the match against KKR, which ultimately did not occur. If his absence is purely fitness-related, he could return in the next game; however, if it’s a strategic decision, his comeback may take longer.