Chennai Super Kings are on the verge of a third straight playoff exit, and with the season nearly done, one question overshadows everything else — will MS Dhoni ever play for CSK again? Head coach Stephen Fleming finally addressed the question directly, though his answer left plenty of room for speculation.
Fleming Says Dhoni’s Playing Future Is Not His Call
When pressed on whether Dhoni will feature as a player next season, Fleming kept it short and honest. “It’s a choice for the management. I know there’s been a lot of talk about it,” he said after CSK’s five-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday in Chennai.
Fleming made clear he is not the one making that call. “MS has been around a lot this year, which has been really important for the team, for young players and continuity. He hasn’t played, but he’s still had a big influence on the team. So yeah, that’s a management call, not mine.”
Dhoni was retained by CSK ahead of IPL 2026 as an uncapped player. The expectation was that he would mentor younger players while being available to play if needed. Injuries kept him out of the entire season. He did not bat once or wear the wicket-keeping gloves. He was at Chepauk on match day for the first time this season during the SRH fixture, but only as an observer.
Fleming confirmed he has had no conversation with Dhoni about next season. “No, we’re working through this one,” was all he offered when asked directly.
Gaikwad Under Pressure as CSK Captain
While the Dhoni question grabbed headlines, Fleming also faced questions about Ruturaj Gaikwad’s form and his future as captain. Gaikwad has struggled for runs this season, and his slow powerplay batting has been a concern in what is now the most attack-heavy era of the IPL.
Against SRH, Gaikwad scored just nine runs off 11 balls through the first six overs — a pace that simply does not match what the format now demands at the top.
Fleming backed his captain but was candid. “I think Ruturaj can do more. He’s done more in the past. He’s been a fine player at the top. He hasn’t produced the quantity of runs and the pace of runs this season that he’s done in his career. And that’s something he will address.”
He also pointed to the scale of what CSK are working through. “It’s a big transition from having one of the best captains in the cricket scene running the franchise for such a long time to a new captain. It’s going to take a little bit of time.”
Gaikwad missed IPL 2025 entirely through injury. Fleming said it would be unfair to judge him on two broken seasons.
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Fleming’s Own Future at CSK Also in Doubt
Fleming did not stop at addressing Dhoni and Gaikwad. He acknowledged his own position at the club is not guaranteed either. CSK are heading toward a third consecutive season without a playoff berth, and results determine everything in franchise cricket.
“I know we’re judged on results, that’s fair. So yeah, it’s the management’s call, not mine,” he said, applying the same answer to his own future as he did to Dhoni’s.
CSK have one league game remaining, against Gujarat Titans on May 21. Their playoff chances are hanging by a thread and depend on results going their way elsewhere.
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