New Delhi: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has fuelled fresh speculation over the future coaching setup of Chennai Super Kings by suggesting that MS Dhoni could eventually take over as the franchise’s head coach. The discussion emerged amid uncertainty surrounding the future of long-serving CSK coach Stephen Fleming after the franchise endured a disappointing IPL 2026 campaign. Chennai finished the season with six wins and eight defeats in 14 matches and failed to make a significant impact in the tournament. Following CSK’s final league match against Gujarat Titans, Fleming admitted that coaches are ultimately judged by results and said the management would decide on the future course.
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Reacting to the ongoing debate on social media platform X, a fan jokingly suggested that Ashwin should replace Fleming as coach. The fan humorously remarked that if Ashwin became coach, the playing XI might be revealed on YouTube before the match itself. Ashwin responded in a light-hearted manner, saying he would not only announce the playing XI but also reveal the team’s batting and bowling strategies. He further joked that such actions would attract the attention of the anti-corruption unit and guarantee his own failure as coach. However, it was Ashwin’s follow-up remark that grabbed attention. Referring to Dhoni, he wrote, “When MSD is there why are you searching for anyone at all?”
Dhoni did not feature in IPL 2026 after suffering a calf strain before the season. Although reports initially suggested he would return after a brief recovery period, the legendary former captain did not play a single match this year, leading to speculation that he may have already played his last IPL game. While there has been no official confirmation regarding Dhoni’s future, Ashwin’s comments have intensified discussions among fans about a possible coaching role for the CSK icon in the coming years.
