CSK Unveil Real Plan For MS Dhoni's IPL Future

CSK Reveal Their Real Plan For MS Dhoni [Source: AFP]

Former legendary captain MS Dhoni missed the entire IPL 2026 season due to multiple injury concerns. Amid intense retirement rumours, CSK have finally provided a fresh and important update on Dhoni’s future in the upcoming season.

Dhoni, who led CSK to five IPL titles, was missing in action this year. He got ruled out of the first half of the tournament due to a calf injury. However, despite recovering from that setback, the wicketkeeper made himself unavailable in order to avoid disrupting the team combination.

Will MS Dhoni play in IPL 2027?

Not only that, but according to reports, MS Dhoni later injured his thumb and ended up not playing a single game for CSK in the IPL 2026 season as they finished in the eighth position on the points table.

At 44, Dhoni is way past his prime. Hence, fans speculated that the legend had already played his last game for CSK last year, and a retirement could be imminent.

However, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan is hopeful. In an interview with Cricbuzz, he said that MS Dhoni may return in the IPL 2027 season. But Viswanathan also clarified that a direct and honest conversation is still pending with the veteran.

But he is positive that Dhoni will turn up in Chennai for one last time for a proper farewell in front of the home crowd.

"My understanding is that he will come back next season. We have not spoken to him about this, but we hope he will come back. We also hope he keeps his promise to the CSK fans that he will play his last IPL game in Chennai," Kasi said.

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CSK yet to take a call on Stephen Fleming

Apart from MS Dhoni, head coach Stephen Fleming’s future is also up in the air. CSK has failed to make the playoffs for three straight seasons, and since 2022, the franchise has had one of the worst win/loss ratios in IPL.

Hence, fans have been demanding Fleming’s removal as head coach, a post he has held since 2009. However, Kasi Viswanathan denied taking a call on Fleming’s sacking. He also rejected the rumours of Rahul Dravid approaching CSK to apply for the head coach job. 

"We have not taken a call on any cricketing matters. We will review at some stage,"  he added.

While Viswanathan may have outrightly denied the speculations, reports suggest that some people inside CSK feel Stephen Fleming himself should decide whether to continue.

Since Fleming has been a core part of the franchise’s esteemed glory, the management may expect a mutual transition if results do not improve, instead of abrupt sacking.

Either way, his future will surely be discussed once CSK regroups to prepare for the IPL 2027 season.

MS Dhoni may not disassociate from CSK

Interestingly, MS Dhoni has two options from here on. Either he can continue playing as a player or take retirement and step into the coaching role. At 44, he has limited services to offer as a player.

With Sanju Samson being a full-time wicketkeeper, Dhoni can only play as a finisher. But CSK already invested in talents like Dewald Brevis, Kartik Sharma and Shivam Dube for similar services.

Hence, it's better for MS Dhoni to step aside completely from the field and serve CSK from behind the scenes.

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