Sports
MS Dhoni to play for CSK in IPL 2026
Chennai Super Kings CEO confirms Thala’s return, five-time champion captain eyes sixth title from 26 March.
MUMBAI: Thala’s keeping the yellow faithful on their toes no retirement bell just yet, because MS Dhoni is back for another IPL dance. Chennai Super Kings CEO K. S. Viswanathan put an end to months of speculation on 23 February 2026, confirming that the 44-year-old icon will indeed turn out for CSK in the TATA IPL 2026 season, running from 26 March to 31 May. While Dhoni himself has stayed characteristically silent, the franchise’s word has sent a wave of cheer through fans who feared the 2025 campaign might have been his last in the famous yellow jersey.
Dhoni’s IPL legacy is already the stuff of legend, five titles as captain (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023), tying him with Rohit Sharma as the most successful skipper in tournament history. Across 235 matches led, he notched 136 wins at a win rate of 57.87 per cent numbers built on ice-cool captaincy, razor-sharp field settings, and an uncanny knack for grooming young talent into match-winners.
The upcoming edition features 10 teams battling across 84 T20 matches, and Dhoni’s presence is expected to lend CSK that familiar blend of experience, calm under pressure, and mentorship for the next wave of players. Even if he doesn’t captain every game, his aura alone shifts dressing-room dynamics.
Off the field, Dhoni keeps a full plate, steering Chennai Super Kings, running organic farming ventures, serving as brand ambassador for events like the Pune Grand Tour 2026, holding an honorary rank in the Indian Army, and nurturing Dhoni Entertainment. Cricket may no longer be his full-time gig, but when IPL calls, Thala answers and this time, the roar from Chepauk is already building.
Whether he finishes with six titles or simply enjoys one more lap in the spotlight, Dhoni’s decision keeps the IPL’s biggest heartbeat thumping strong.
Sports
After Virat Kohli’s exit, One8 Commune Bengaluru shuts down
Outlet near Chinnaswamy closes amid rent row, compliance issues mount
BENGALURU: The One8 Commune outlet near M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has shut down following a court order, bringing a turbulent chapter for the high-profile dining destination to a close.
The immediate trigger was a legal dispute over unpaid dues. The outlet, operated by Trio Hills Hospitality, had reportedly defaulted on rent payments for nearly six months. Including maintenance charges and revenue share commitments, the outstanding amount is said to have crossed Rs 2 crore. A Bengaluru civil court subsequently directed the closure of the premises until all financial obligations are cleared.
The shutdown comes months after Virat Kohli, whose brand name lent the outlet its identity, had already distanced himself from the Bengaluru franchise. According to reports, concerns around repeated compliance-related issues prompted his team to withdraw the association. The removal of the One8 branding is believed to have impacted footfall, further straining the business.
The outlet had also faced regulatory scrutiny over the years. In 2024, authorities booked the establishment for operating beyond the 1:00 am curfew. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike had issued notices over missing fire safety clearances, while an FIR was filed for violating tobacco regulations by not providing a designated smoking zone under applicable laws.
In response to the closure, the brand maintained that the issue stemmed from building-level compliance responsibilities linked to the property owner rather than operational lapses on its part. It also denied that financial default was the primary reason, reiterating that customer safety remained a priority.
For now, the shutters remain down. While a reopening is theoretically possible if disputes are resolved, the absence of Kohli’s brand association makes a return under the One8 banner increasingly unlikely.
