![MS Dhoni for CSK in IPL [Image Credits: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1779438936537_MSDhoni.jpg?type=hq)
MS Dhoni for CSK in IPL [Image Credits: AFP]
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fell to an 89-run larruping at the hands of Gujarat Titans in match number 66 of the IPL 2026 season on Thursday, May 21. The outcome marked CSK’s third successive defeat as they bowed out of the season’s playoffs race.
Former Indian all-rounder and CSK legend Ravichandran Ashwin believes that the team now needs a major rethink in strategy and squad-building going ahead into IPL 2027, especially after their disastrous performance this year.
R Ashwin asks CSK to go past MS Dhoni era
While speaking on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin urged the CSK team management to invest in “quality players”, especially for its bowling department. The legendary all-rounder emphasized the importance of having a variety in both, fast bowlers and spinners in the team.
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He said “Honestly, I will say this openly, CSK has to invest in quality. They have to invest in quality cricketers. I mean, make a quality team. With experience. Bowling experience. Variety in fast bowlers. Variety in spinners. A team has to be formed in a good way.”
Ashwin also asked CSK to move beyond MS Dhoni’s era in a bid to evolve with the changing landscape of T20 cricket. He added “This is not Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings. Not at all. That time has changed. And you have to keep in mind that success will come. But it will come slowly.”
Ravi Ashwin praises Shivam Dube and Kartik Sharma
Ravichandran Ashwin also praised hard-hitting middle-order batters Shivam Dube and Kartik Sharma, especially after their fighting efforts in the last few games.
Speaking on the senior Indian all-rounder, Ashwin said “Honestly speaking, Shivam Dube’s batting was very positive for Chennai. But I have an observation. I think the squad that is picked to play in their home game, in Chepauk, I think it is not suiting them.”
On Kartik Sharma, he added “Kartik Sharma has that ability. He plays the spinner a little late, he plays inside-out shots, he uses his feet in front. Today’s batters, if you count them on one hand, how many have the ability to use their feet while batting?”
MS Dhoni-less CSK crash out of IPL 2026
Chasing 230 runs for a win at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, CSK crumbled for just 140 in 13.4 overs. Under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK concluded its league stage of the IPL 2026 season with just six wins and eight defeats from 14 matches.
Stranded at 12 points with a dismal NRR of -0.345, the five-time champions have now crashed out of the IPL 2026 playoffs race. As of now, the CSK franchise is placed seventh on the 10-team points table. They also became the third team this year to get eliminated from the playoffs, joining the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and fellow five-time winning franchise Mumbai Indians.
It is worth noting that former captain MS Dhoni spent the entire season without playing a match. The legendary wicketkeeper-batter has been suffering from a calf strain, and was even ruled out of the tournament’s initial two weeks.
However, MS Dhoni failed to attain full recovery and ended up spending the entire season on the sidelines. It marked the first-ever instance of Dhoni not playing a single game in a season in his otherwise decorated IPL career.
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