Maybe next season, someone else will take charge on the field. Chennai Super Kings' top official Kasi Viswanathan suggested MS Dhoni could still have a place on it, perhaps even leading as head coach someday. His words followed rising questions about what comes next, especially after Dhoni stayed away all through IPL 2026, an absence unlike any before, breaking a streak since the league's start.
Even at 44, Dhoni still holds the title of IPL's oldest player without a current contract, yet fresh injuries and missing this season have fueled more chatter on retirement. Though supporters are left guessing if 2026 was truly his last outing, Chennai Super Kings' leadership seems keen to find a role for the former captain somewhere within the team setup.
CSK open to MS Dhoni taking over as head coach
In an interview, Kasi Viswanathan said nothing official has been discussed about Dhoni’s future just yet. Still, the team views him as key to CSK, be it on the field, guiding behind the scenes, or shaping strategy from the sidelines. Though talks haven’t started, his presence matters beyond any single role. Whether playing, advising, or leading, he remains central to how they see themselves moving ahead.
“We have not discussed anything with MS as of now because, as you know, MS makes his decisions on his own, and we respect that. 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,” Viswanathan said.
Questions have surfaced about Stephen Fleming staying on as head coach, after CSK missed the IPL knockout rounds yet again - this marks the third year in a row. From an unlikely corner, ex-CSK player Ravichandran Ashwin stepped in, suggesting MS Dhoni could step into the role, since he’s already part of the team structure.
One reason stands out: MS Dhoni fits right into the space Fleming leaves behind. He knows the CSK setup deeper than most, shaped by years of quiet leadership. Even when he stayed away in 2026, younger teammates leaned on him. In 2027, his age won’t let him dodge fitness issues much longer. Stepping off the field might just feel like coming home.
It’s hard to ignore how much MS Dhoni has shaped CSK over time. Winning five IPL trophies while captaining the side put them among the elite in tournament history. His sharp thinking during matches, combined with knowing exactly what drives the squad, sets him apart.
Some now wonder if stepping back from playing might let him thrive even more in coaching roles. Success once came through his bat and gloves; perhaps it can come again through decisions made behind the scenes.
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