MS Dhoni To Replace Stephen Fleming as CSK Coach? Chennai Super Kings CEO Signals Green Light For Future Collaboration

As Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals prepare for the eliminator today, CSK fans are still upset since they missed MS Dhoni taking the field this IPL season. But CSK CEO Kashinath Vishwanathan has hinted at major future collaboration programs with the 44-year-old. In a recent interview with RevSportz, Vishwanathan expressed his willingness to put Thala on the active roster, be it as a player, coach, mentor or any other role that he is willing to take responsibility for.

"We would always like to have him as a permanent fixture at CSK in whatever capacity - be it as a player, coach or mentor. Whatever it is, it depends on what he decides. Every decision depends on him,” Vishwanathan said.

Dhoni hasn't played a single match in the 2026 IPL due to multiple fitness and injury concerns, including calf and thumb issues. This marks the first time in 19 IPL seasons that the former CSK and India skipper has missed an entire tournament. Dhoni was retained by the CSK franchise for Rs. 4 crore under uncapped players for this season. Only Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Manish Pandey and MS Dhoni played every season of the IPL since its commencement in 2008.

After appearing in a brief role as a player in the 2008 season and a short span of coaching Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016-17, while CSK was suspended, Fleming has been at the helm of the team, leading them to five IPL titles. But from the past two seasons, the former Kiwi skipper has been under severe scrutiny. The Chennai-based franchise found itself at the bottom of the 2025 points table. The team’s 2026 campaign hasn’t been a different tale. CSK finished in 8th spot in the 2026 IPL season, winning just 6 of its 14 games.

While there have been many speculations about Dhoni’s transition into coaching duties, no public comments have been made by either Dhoni or the CSK management. Although his dedication towards his franchise has been displayed in the past with comments, when he said,

“I can play for as long as I want for CSK. That’s my franchise. Even if I’m in a wheelchair, they’ll drag me.”

Former teammates like Ravichandran Ashwin have also backed the view and suggested that Dhoni should be the head coach of CSK.