MS Dhoni has been widely regarded as one of the fittest Indian cricketers to have ever played the game for the country.

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Who can forget the night when his bullet speed running between the wickets left even arguably the fittest player in the team, Virat Kohli huffing and puffing for his breath in the famous T20I against Australia during Super 10 stage of the 2016 World T20 in Mohali.

A game I can never forget. Special night. This man, made me run like in a fitness test @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/pzkr5zn4pG

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) September 12, 2019

Everybody knew how fit Dhoni was but his incredible athleticism on that night established him as the fittest guy in the whole squad.

It’s been close to two years since he called time on his international career and it’s his incredible fitness that has allowed him to continue playing in the world’s biggest T20 league even at this age. He will turn 41 on July 7.

Get Set #THA7A #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/glslDfdnni

— Chennai Super Kings - Mask Pdu Whistle Pdu! (@ChennaiIPL) March 7, 2022

However, it seems like his old age has slowly started to catch up with the legendary wicketkeeper-batter and it started to affect his fitness.

With only weeks left in the start of IPL 2022, Chennai Super Kings players have already begun their training, the visuals of which were shared by the franchise on its various social media handles.

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The fans of the defending champions were excited to see their star cricketers sweating it out on the field but at the same time they were also worried about Dhoni’s bulked up physique. They couldn’t help but notice how overweight their ‘Thala’ was looking in those pictures.

Yeah gone out of shape

— why (@sanyalrajesh) March 7, 2022

Thala is looking old with big tummy and grey sides

— Saima (@Saimalhrpak) March 7, 2022

Giving tough competition to Rohit Sharma

— Sunny (@Bihari_Boy_) March 7, 2022

He is looking fit like rohit now

— Rip legend Sharne warne (@Viratkafan23) March 7, 2022

Looking like one senior citizen in my neighborhood

— Professor samuel oak (@prof_oak123) March 7, 2022

Looks out of shape

— Priyatham reddy (@impriyatham) March 7, 2022

If this was to be his last IPL season, the CSK supporters wanted it to be a memorable one. With four titles in their kitty, the Chennai-based outfit is currently the second most successful franchise in the IPL history, only behind Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians who have lifted the trophy five times.

The Hi we have been waiting for! Day : #WhistlePodu #SingamsInSurat pic.twitter.com/WgvSPK43Sy

— Chennai Super Kings - Mask Pdu Whistle Pdu! (@ChennaiIPL) March 6, 2022

Dhoni’s individual performances have dipped in the last couple of years but he always made up for that with his street-smart decision-making. The yellove army would be hoping that their talisman continues to steer their ship from behind the stumps in the upcoming edition as well and end his IPL career on a high.

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