The departure of Stephen Fleming could open doors for MS Dhoni with bigger responsibilities for the Chennai Super Kings, not as a player, but as a staff member.
After the removal of Stephen Fleming from the team’s head coach position, the franchise is yet to decide who will be the next head coach of the team. Fleming might have left the franchise with a sour taste in his mouth, but Dhoni remains a close aide of the top brass of CSK, which may allow the veteran to take over new responsibilities in the future.
Why did CSK let Stephen Fleming go?
It is possible to see the former India captain as the mentor of the Chennai Super Kings. CSK, the 5-time IPL winners, last lifted the trophy in 2023. For three back-to-back seasons, under the coaching of Stephen Fleming, their efforts proved unfruitful.
In this season’s IPL, the team finished in the bottom half of the table. The former New Zealand skipper was also in charge of the franchise’s sister concern, Texas Super Kings in the Major League Cricket (MLC), where their performance was also below par.
Due to failures in IPL and MLC, the Chennai Super Kings bid adieu to Fleming. As the franchise wants to revive their form to claim their sixth IPL title, the officials are expected to take some time before reaching an agreement.
MS Dhoni can play a role in the head coach recruitment process
It is reported that MS Dhoni could play a role in the selection of the successor to Stephen Fleming. The final decision to appoint the next head coach can be dependent on Dhoni’s approval.
“According to an insider, however, the former captain is going to play a significant role in picking Fleming’s successor. The five-time IPL champions, who haven’t reached the playoffs since their title triumph in 2023, will take time to land their preferred candidate, and Dhoni will have a say in that”, RevSportz claimed in their report on July 15.
The legendary keeper-batter did not feature in a single match for the IPL 2026 season because of injury. He was with the team throughout with the team, supporting his teammates from behind the curtains.
CSK could appoint MS Dhoni as a mentor in the future
With years of experience and multiple awards in the trophy cabinet, MS Dhoni easily fits a coaching staff role. Will CSK appoint Dhoni as one of their coaches ahead of IPL 2027? MS Dhoni could be part of the coaching staff in the future, but may not be ahead of the IPL 2027 season, as he is still contracted with the team as a cricketer.
The franchise retained the legendary cricketer ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction for INR 4 crore. As per the report, he could stay with the team as a player in 2027 as well. And then, ahead of the 2028 season, a change in his role can be seen, probably as a mentor.
“Meanwhile, the idea to make him the team mentor could be a possibility; it is learnt. It might happen next season itself or at the start of the new cycle in 2028. According to sources, though, even without an official designation, Dhoni is set to be given control of the cricket side of the affairs. In crisis, CSK have turned to the man who has presided over their five IPL trophies,” according to the report.
