Cricket News May 23, 2026

MS Dhoni’s IPL Participation Creates Massive Coaching Trouble For CSK

By Imran Malik · 3 min read

1779473638653 no coach wants to work with ms dhoni at csk

MS Dhoni‘s IPL Participation Creates Massive Coaching Trouble For CSK

Chennai Super Kings face big trouble due to MS Dhoni’s continued influence on the team, despite his retirement as captain. The franchise’s failure to qualify for the playoffs in the 2026 season has led to talks of a potential overhaul in the coaching staff, but Dhoni’s presence is making it difficult for CSK to find a new head coach.

CSK’s Struggles

CSK ended their IPL 2026 campaign on a bitter note, bowing out of the playoff race with just 12 points gathered in 14 games. The team’s struggles have led to frustration among fans, who are not happy with the strategy and mindset of the current coaching staff, led by Stephen Fleming.

After a disastrous IPL 2025 season where they finished at the bottom of the table for the first time in the tournament’s history, Chennai again failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2026. This has led to speculation about Fleming’s future as head coach, with the franchise reportedly exploring possible long-term replacements.

MS Dhoni’s Influence

However, MS Dhoni’s influence on the franchise continues to be a significant factor. His partnership with Fleming led Chennai to five IPL titles, but since Dhoni stepped down as captain, the synergy has fallen apart. With CSK struggling to form a balanced unit consistently, the franchise has begun looking for alternatives to Fleming.

According to reports, at least one prominent Indian coaching candidate chose not to pursue the role due to uncertainty over how much operational control would truly be available with MS Dhoni still looming large over the franchise environment. Another potential coaching option was even advised to wait before considering the job seriously, with the understanding that any major restructuring inside CSK may only happen after Dhoni fully steps away from the setup.

READ: Fact Check: Did Jasprit Bumrah Retaliate After Ram Charan's Cricketer Mix-up?

Dhoni’s Future

MS Dhoni’s future in the IPL is also uncertain. The 44-year-old has been struggling with a chronic knee injury, which limits his contribution on the field. He missed the 2026 season due to a calf and thumb injury, and CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad shared an update on Dhoni’s future, saying the legend will make a decision before the 2027 season.

While CSK fans’ emotions are deeply attached to Dhoni due to past glory, carrying him around for long would only hinder the franchise’s growth, as every era must end for good. The franchise owners and management are clueless about his next step, and it remains to be seen how CSK will navigate this challenging situation.

Imran Malik

Imran Malik is a senior sports correspondent for Dawn, and one of Pakistan’s most authoritative voices on cricket. A proud alumnus of the University of the Punjab, he has spent more than a decade covering the men in green—from the raw energy of Lahore’s club grounds to World Cup semi-finals. Imran is particularly known for his deep technical knowledge of fast bowling and his unflinching analysis of Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure. His writing blends sharp observation with a historian’s eye, capturing both the glory and the grit of the game. A regular contributor to Dawn’s sports desk and a familiar face on news panel shows, Imran has been recognized with the Agahi Award and his paper’s own Excellence Award. He remains passionately committed to unearthing the next generation of Pakistani sporting talent.