MS Dhoni Named Stephen Fleming's Successor As CSK Head Coach By IPL Legend

Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni [Source: AFP]

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise bowed out of the IPL 2026 playoffs race following their latest defeat to Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. 

With just six wins from 14 matches, the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side has garnered only 12 points to stand seventh on the IPL 2026 points table.

The franchise has now failed to qualify for the playoffs in each of the last three editions of the tournament. Notably, this is also the third consecutive season since MS Dhoni stepped down as skipper and passed the torch to prolific top-order batter Ruturaj Gaikwad.

With Dhoni no longer leading the decorated franchise, former CSK cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin is of the opinion that the legendary wicketkeeper-batter should become the team’s next head coach.

R Ashwin wants MS Dhoni to coach CSK in future IPL seasons

On X, one CSK fan jokingly claimed that Ravichandran Ashwin should not replace Stephen Fleming as team’s next head coach as the former all-rounder will likely announce the playing XI “well in advance on his YouTube channel”.

Also Read- CSK Captaincy Candidates If Ruturaj Gaikwad Is Removed After IPL 2026

Ashwin responded to the fan in his own unique way, jokingly saying “Absolutely agree with you! I will announce 11 and make sure the opposition know the bowling and batting plans as well. In fact, the above will ensure that the anti-corruption unit will take me to task & will also ensure my own failure.”

Jokes aside, Ravichandran Ashwin concluded his response by saying that the CSK franchise should not look beyond MS Dhoni if the need arises to appoint a new head coach after Stephen Fleming.

Ashwin 🇮🇳

@ashwinravi99

Absolutely agree with you! I will announce 11 and make sure the opposition know the bowling and batting plans as well.🤝🤝 In fact, the above will ensure that the anti corruption unit will take me to task & will also ensure my own failure. Rules Kooda theriyuma engenthu da

He wrote “Adding on: When MSD is there why are you searching for anyone at all?”

MS Dhoni spends entire IPL 2026 without playing

MS Dhoni, plagued with an injury concern, just spent the entire IPL 2026 season without playing a single match for the CSK franchise. 

Prior to the tournament, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter was ruled out of the season’s initial two weeks owing to his calf strain.

However, the cricketer seemingly failed to attain full recovery throughout IPL 2026, as he spent much of his time rehabilitating in Chennai and only occasionally took part in training sessions.

The instance marked the first-ever in Dhoni’s decorated 19-year IPL career that the senior pro went an entire season without playing a game.

Moreover, the farewell he received in Chennai after CSK’s final home game of the season pretty much indicated that the 44-year-old might not return to play IPL 2027 next year.

CSK lose three on the trot to get eliminated

The CSK franchise, under Ruturaj Gaikwad, started off the IPL 2026 season with three successive defeats. However, the team regained its winning momentum by accumulating six wins out of its next eight matches, thus jumping back to the season’s playoffs reckoning.

However, the MS Dhoni-led side squandered away its opportunity by losing their final three league fixtures, which included a demoralizing 89-run drubbing to Gujarat Titans at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.

As of now, they are placed seventh on the IPL 2026 points table with a dismal NRR of -0.345.

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