![Suresh Raina invited to a pre-season event by CSK [Source: ChennaiIPL/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1773495933813_SureshRainaMSDhoniChennaiSuperKings.jpg?type=hq)
Suresh Raina invited to a pre-season event by CSK [Source: ChennaiIPL/X.com]
The IPL 2026 season is upon us, and the five-time champions, Chennai Super Kings, have already started creating a buzz around the tournament. They are all set to light up the iconic Chepauk Stadium with the first-of-its-kind ceremony ahead of their opening fixture.
The special event will feature the legendary MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and other stars, who have built a foundation for the franchise’s success.
The Academy Award-winning music director A.R. Rahman, who will also be in attendance to the fans’ delight, as they look to bury the memories of the 2025 season.
Suresh Raina and co. to join MS Dhoni’s CSK for pre-season mega event
As a curtain raiser for the IPL 2026, i.e., 19th edition of the biggest T20 league in the world, the Chepauk will play host to Suresh Raina, famously known as Chinna Thala and Mr IPL by many, on March 22.
In the ROAR ’26 event, the CSK stars from yesteryears, including Matthew Hayden, Murali Vijay and S Badrinath, are also invited. The former champions will be joined by the roster of IPL 2026, who will go head-on in “never-seen-before match-ups”.
Although it is yet to be announced what the match-ups will be, it is likely that the ‘OG’ stars take the field again and face the 2026 squad, including MS Dhoni, who has been around since season 1.
Additionally, the Oscar-winner, AR Rahman, will deliver a special live performance for the Chepauk crowd with aesthetic lighting glowing up the stadium.
Among the names who will be present at the event, apart from the duo of MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina, Matthew Hayden has won IPL 2010 with the CSK, while Murali Vijay has won 2010, 2011, and 2018 trophy with them. Another local star, S Badrinath was their key middle order batter in the first two title wins.
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How can CSK fans buy tickets for the Dhoni-Raina reunion?
Since Suresh Raina’s last match for CSK in the IPL 2021, this will be the first time that he takes the Chepauk field to possibly bat alongside Thala MS Dhoni in this event. For what could be a sight to behold for all the CSK fans, the tickets will go on sale online.
The tickets will be live on the CSK app, official website (www.chennaisuperkings.com) and the District app and official website on March 15.
As per the official advisory, the fans are asked to buy tickets from other platforms at their own risk.
CSK’s pursuit of the 6th IPL title
Ahead of the start of IPL 2026, alongside the Mumbai Indians, the Men in Yellow are the most successful team in the history of the league. They have won five trophies each.
Their all-time leading scorer, Raina, was part of the four title wins, ending his time in 2021 with a trophy. On the other hand, MS Dhoni clinched one more final in 2023.
Having finished at the rock bottom of the points table in 2025, the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led CSK are now looking to build a squad for the future with promising talents like Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis joining them last year. Additionally, they have added Sanju Samson’s experience and leadership to bolster their roster this year.
With a young and rejuvenated squad, they will look to achieve the feats their predecessors like Suresh Raina have achieved. The ROAR ’26 will play a part in motivating the young group of players days ahead of the season.
In what is expected to be MS Dhoni's last season, they will try to give him a trophy as a parting gift. The Super Kings get their IPL 2026 underway against the Rajasthan Royals on March 30 in Guwahati, i.e., a week after the pre-season event.
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