Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is slowly turning a very emotional page, and for the first time in IPL history, the franchise has openly acknowledged what fans have been fearing and hoping for for years, and that is life after the great MS Dhoni.
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming admitted that they are now preparing for a future without MS Dhoni. This change became evident at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi when CSK took a bold and difficult decision. Ahead of the auction, they parted ways with one of their biggest match-winners, Ravindra Jadeja, and sold him to Rajasthan Royals in exchange for Sanju Samson.
CSK finally accept the inevitable as life after MS Dhoni starts
Chennai Super Kings has been MS Dhoni’s team for almost two decades. His calm presence, sharp mind and leadership behind the stumps shaped the identity of the franchise. Even in recent seasons, when his role with the bat was reduced, his impact on the field never diminished.
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The CSK bowlers trusted him, the youngsters learned from him and the team revolved around his guidance. Because of that bond, Chennai never rushed to plan a replacement. But this time, he accepted the reality that Dhoni will not be around forever. Instead of delaying the inevitable, CSK decided to prepare calmly, just like Dhoni himself would have done.
Stephen Fleming was quoted by India Today as saying at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi: “For us, the opportunity was there. We felt we were still a little light in our opening batting. And we were also looking at the fact that at some point, MS will step up.”
CSK bets on Sanju Samson for stability, leadership and future beyond MS Dhoni
The arrival of Sanju Samson is a sign of that change. Chennai sees Samson as more than just a batsman or wicketkeeper. They look for someone with experience, leadership abilities and understanding of pressure at the highest level.
He brings stability at the top and provides a natural option to take on the responsibilities behind the stumps and also as captain when needed.
Fleming further explained, “Sanju is an international-class player, and he plays that role very well. So, it’s succession planning, but it’s also about refreshing the group and seeing what Chennai will look like in not just two but six years.”
Also read: MS Dhoni’s IPL retirement announcement can happen any time now, claims former CSK star
CSK breaks tradition with bold youth-first strategy in IPL 2026 auction
Interestingly, Chennai Super Kings clearly showed in the IPL 2026 auction that their thinking has changed. They surprised everyone by spending ₹14.2 crore on two uncapped youngsters, Prashant Veer and Karthik Sharma. It was a big and bold move that showed that CSK is now ready to invest heavily in young players instead of relying only on experienced players.
For many years, CSK was known for relying on senior players and sticking with proven performers. He achieved great success with that approach. But now, after the last few poor seasons, the team is starting to look different. The current CSK team is much younger than before, which is a clear indication that the franchise is planning for the long term and will bounce back stronger in 2026.
