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After not having featured in a single game in the IPL 2026 season, the Chennai Super Kings superstar MS Dhoni’s availability has resurfaced as a major concern for the five-time IPL champions.
The Chennai Super Kings were knocked out of the race for the IPL playoffs after they ended their 2026 season following consecutive defeats in the season. The Super Kings were led by Ruturaj Gaikwad during the season.
This marked his first season for the new-age CSK skipper as an independent skipper of the team. MS Dhoni did not feature in any of CSK’s matches this season, including their final home match of the season on the 18th of May.
Will MS Dhoni feature in IPL 2027 for CSK?
MS Dhoni was highly anticipated to play in their last home game of the season on the 18th of May, as it marked Chennai’s penultimate match in the season. He had promised his fans that his final match before announcing his retirement would be at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
After the concerns over MS Dhoni’s physical fitness due to the hamstring and thumb injuries this season and his growing 45 in the month of July this year, there have been severe doubts posed over his availability for the next season.
However, the CSK management has repeatedly assured that the final call on the issue would be taken by the veteran himself. However, Kasi Viswanath has assured that he would be playing the next season as well.
The CSK franchise, surely, does not believe so. “My understanding is that he will come back next season,” Kasi Viswanathan, CSK CEO, told Cricbuzz. “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.”
Stephen Fleming’s future remains uncertain in the Super Kings management: Rahul Dravid in talks with CSK management
After a disappointing season for the Chennai Super Kings, Stephen Fleming’s appointment for the upcoming season seems highly unlikely. The Super Kings have not only struggled to win matches but have also looked like a confused unit.
While Dhoni, for the first time, chose not to interfere with the management decisions, for some time it seemed that the side was doing well even without him. Stephen Fleming’s role as the head coach of the team seems highly unlikely.
Rahul Dravid is the replacement who might be in talks for the role with the CSK management; however, no such affirmation has been made from their end. “We have not taken a call on any cricketing matters. We will review at some stage,” Viswanathan said, categorically stating that no contact has been made with Dravid.
MS Dhoni’s to remain an integral part of CSK setup
Though Fleming’s record in the IPL this season has been a major flaw, his services remain a special feat for the Super Kings. Alongside the Chennai Super Kings, he also head coaches the other Super Kings sides, like the Texas Super Kings in the MLC and the Joburg Super Kings in the SA20.
With the MLC likely to begin shortly after the end of the IPL, there’s not much span left for a new coach to step in, and hence, Fleming is not likely to part ways immediately with the Super Kings, at least on a global stage.
The CSK management remains in a fix as they still look for Dhoni’s confidence before taking a final call on MS Dhoni’s future in the IPL. However, it remains certain that he is likely to continue as an integral part of the CSK setup, whether he continues to feature as a player or not.
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