"CSK is a special franchise" Ashish Nehra drops subtle hint on his next coaching destination

Ashish Nehra, renowned for his swing and seam bowling prowess during the early 2000s, enjoyed a successful career as an Indian fast bowler and even in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, Nehra’s career was marred by several injuries, but his journey took a memorable turn when he joined the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL in 2014.

Recently, the Gujarat Titans (GT) head coach recalled his IPL stint with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with great affection. Notably, Nehra played for CSK for only two IPL seasons in 2014 and 2015, but he couldn’t forget the memories and learnings he got during his association with the franchise.

CSK is a great franchise and lucky to have MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming: Ashish Nehra

The CSK, under the steady guidance of the former captain MS Dhoni and coach Stephen Fleming, became more than just a franchise, according to Nehra. The former Indian pacer said that the CSK is a very special franchise in the IPL, as they evolved into a learning ground for many young cricketers.

Nehra admitted that the unique blend of magical and enduring partnerships has set CSK apart in the world’s biggest T20 league. He also pointed out that Dhoni and Fleming stuck together for a long time at the CSK, and such long-term stability in leadership is rare in the world of franchise cricket.

Ashish Nehra was quoted as saying by The Hindu: “It was a great franchise, but they were also lucky that MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming stuck together for a long time. CSK is a special franchise even for youngsters, who learn a lot. Going forward, I don’t think we will see the same coach and captain for many years in a franchise.”

Meanwhile, despite being younger than Dhoni, Nehra has always admired the legendary wicketkeeper-batter for his unwavering demeanor. Dhoni's consistent approach, regardless of match outcomes, has been a source of inspiration for many, including Nehra.

MS Dhoni never changes with the match results: Ashish Nehra

The Gujarat Titans (GT) coach said that the former Indian skipper’s unchanging attitude along with his exceptional leadership has left an indelible mark on him and others who have had the privilege of working alongside him.

Nehra signed off by saying, “For me, the most important thing about MS (Dhoni) is that he has remained the same. No one wants to lose, but he has been the same with people, irrespective of results.”

Well, Dhoni is still a part of the CSK team since the first edition of the IPL, while Nehra has been enjoying his coaching career after retirement from the game. In January 2018, Nehra was brought on board as the bowling coach for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He worked in this position for RCB till the 2019 season.

By January 2022, Nehra took on the role of head coach for the new franchise Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL. Under his leadership, they won the IPL title in the first attempt and then finished as the runner-up in the 2023 season. Notably, Nehra is the first Indian head coach to win an IPL title.