MS Dhoni may step away from playing the IPL in the coming years, but his association with Chennai Super Kings is set to continue. Ahead of IPL 2026, the franchise confirmed that Dhoni remains central to its long term vision.
CSK Confirms Dhoni’s Long Term Role
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan stated that the franchise will never fully separate from MS Dhoni. He said CSK invested in a leader in 2008, not just a cricketer.
A Leader On and Off the Field
Viswanathan explained that while other teams focused on star names as icon faces, CSK chose Dhoni with a clear plan. Dhoni was trusted to run the team on the field while management focused on building the brand.
Complete Trust in Dhoni’s Decisions
The CSK management wanted someone who could take full responsibility for on field decisions. Dhoni fit that role perfectly and went on to lead the team to five IPL titles.
Management Stayed Away from Team Calls
The CSK CEO said the franchise always believed players and administrators think differently. Because of this belief, management avoided interfering in team decisions and trusted Dhoni completely.
Culture Built on Trust
This approach helped define CSK’s culture and playing style over the years. The trust between Dhoni and the franchise became one of the strongest foundations of the team’s success.
Dhoni to Play Upcoming Season
Viswanathan confirmed that Dhoni will play the upcoming IPL season. He also said Dhoni will remain closely linked with Chennai Super Kings even after his playing days end.
CSK Hints at WPL Entry
The CSK CEO hinted that the franchise’s next major step could be entering women’s cricket. This strongly points towards a future move into the Women’s Premier League.
Expansion Beyond Cricket
Viswanathan added that CSK is slowly expanding into other sports as well. Dhoni will continue to act as the face of the franchise across these ventures.
Dhoni’s Growing Influence
As an example, he mentioned Indian chess champion Dommaraju Gukesh meeting Dhoni during the Indian Premier League. This highlighted Dhoni’s growing role beyond cricket.
A Key Part of CSK’s Future
For CSK, Dhoni is not just a former captain. He remains a vital part of the franchise’s present identity and future plans.
