MS Dhoni to Become CSK Mentor in IPL 2027?

MS Dhoni’s role at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has become a talking point ahead of IPL 2027 after Ravichandran Ashwin suggested that the former captain could become the team’s mentor.

Despite, CSK have already clarified that Dhoni will continue as a player, leaving Ashwin’s latest comments open to discussion.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin discussed how Dhoni and new head coach Zaheer Khan and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad could work together next season.

With the new coaching staff, it’ll be interesting to watch the dynamic between Dhoni, Zaheer and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Dhoni will likely be the mentor. So how Gaikwad works with Zaheer, or whether he goes to Dhoni, will be interesting to see, Ashwin said.

CSK appointed Zaheer as head coach on September 21, replacing Stephen Fleming, who had been associated with the franchise for 18 years.

The decision came after CSK finished eighth in IPL 2026 with 12 points, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Dhoni missed the entire campaign due to injury.

Ashwin also questioned whether Fleming could adapt his coaching approach to Gaikwad in the same way he had worked with Dhoni.

He described Fleming’s partnership with the former CSK captain as a key part of the team’s setup.

Despite, CSK managing director Kasi Viswanathan said on September 22 that Dhoni would continue as a player for the franchise. He also confirmed that Dhoni was involved in the decision to appoint Zaheer as head coach.

For now, there is no official confirmation that Dhoni will become CSK’s mentor in IPL 2027. Ashwin’s comments have sparked discussion, but the franchise’s earlier statement remains the clearest indication of Dhoni’s planned role.