Stephen Fleming’s departure could open the doors for MS Dhoni to take on bigger responsibilities for Chennai Super Kings, not as a player, but as a staff member.
After the removal of Stephen Fleming from the post of head coach of the team, the franchise has not yet decided who will be the next head coach of the team. Fleming may have left the franchise with a sour taste in his mouth, but Dhoni remains a close associate of CSK’s top brass, which could give the veteran player a chance to take up new responsibilities in the future.
Why did CSK let go of Stephen Fleming?
It is possible to see the former India captain as a mentor for Chennai Super Kings. 5-time IPL winners CSK last won the trophy in 2023. His efforts proved fruitless in three consecutive seasons under the coaching of Stephen Fleming.
In this season’s IPL, the team remained at the bottom of the table. The former New Zealand captain was also in charge of the Texas Super Kings, the franchise’s affiliate in the Major League Cricket (MLC), where his performances were also below average.
Chennai Super Kings bid farewell to Fleming due to failures in IPL and MLC. As the franchise looks to revive its form to claim its sixth IPL title, officials are expected to take some time before reaching an agreement.
MS Dhoni may play role in head coach recruitment process
There is news that MS Dhoni can play a role in the selection of Stephen Fleming’s successor. The final decision on the appointment of the next head coach may depend on Dhoni’s approval.
“According to an insider, however, the former captain is going to play a key role in choosing Fleming’s successor. The five-time IPL champions, who have not reached the playoffs since their title win in 2023, will take time to field their preferred candidate and Dhoni will have a role to play in that”, RavSportz claimed in its report on July 15.
The veteran keeper-batsman did not play a single match in the IPL 2026 season due to injury. He was with the team the whole time and was supporting his teammates behind the scenes.
CSK may appoint MS Dhoni as mentor in future
With years of experience and several awards in the trophy cabinet, MS Dhoni easily fits into the role of the coaching staff. Will CSK appoint Dhoni as one of their coaches before IPL 2027? MS Dhoni could be a part of the coaching staff in the future, but not before the IPL 2027 season, as he is still contracted with the team as a cricketer.
The franchise retained the veteran cricketer for Rs 4 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. According to the report, he can remain with the team as a player even in 2027. And then, ahead of the 2028 season, he could see a change in his role, perhaps as a mentor.
According to the report, “Meanwhile, the idea of making him team mentor could be a possibility; it turns out. It could happen next season or at the start of the new cycle in 2028. According to sources, even without an official designation, Dhoni is set to be given control of cricket affairs. In the crisis, CSK have turned to the man who has presided over their five IPL trophies.”