The excitement around IPL 2026 has reached a fever pitch, especially with the much-anticipated ‘El Clásico’ clash between the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings scheduled for April 23 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. But even before a ball was bowled, fans were treated to a heartwarming off-field moment involving MS Dhoni and Deepak Chahar that quickly went viral.

As Chahar walked up to meet his former captain during a training session, the reunion took an amusing turn. Dhoni, known for his calm demeanour, instantly spotted a cameraman following Chahar and switched to his playful side.

“You came, but you brought a camera along? Shoo him away!” MS Dhoni joked, making it clear he preferred a private chat with his former teammate.

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Chahar, smiling, obliged and gently asked the cameraman to step aside. Dhoni doubled down on the banter, adding that conversations can’t be “free” with cameras around. The moment perfectly captured the camaraderie the duo has shared over the years.

Cameraman be like… chalo theek hai 🫠 pic.twitter.com/KqzXsYc9h3

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 22, 2026

What followed was equally wholesome. Chahar attempted to touch Dhoni’s feet—a gesture of respect—but the CSK legend quickly stepped back and instead pulled him into a warm hug. The two were later seen sharing laughs, even joking about their greying beards, a reminder of their long journey together in the IPL.

Their bond dates back to Chahar’s early days with Chennai, where Dhoni played a crucial role in shaping him into a dependable match-winner. However, the current IPL season has been far from ideal for the swing bowler. After being picked up by Mumbai for ₹9.25 crore, expectations were high, but Chahar has struggled to deliver, managing just one wicket in three matches while conceding runs at an economy rate above 13.

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His dip in form has even led to him being dropped from the playing XI, a stark contrast to his peak years under Dhoni’s leadership. Still, moments like these remind fans of the strong mentor-protégé relationship they share. Many will now hope that this reunion sparks a turnaround in Chahar’s campaign, just in time for Mumbai’s crucial fixtures ahead.