According to a new report, several candidates have declined the head coach role with the Chennai Super Kings due to the presence of former skipper MS Dhoni.
The franchise has completed all 14 league stage matches in IPL 2026, but has not qualified for the playoffs. There are currently indications that the team may be looking for a change in its overall leadership.
CSK fail to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2026
In this year's IPL, CSK were marred by injuries and inconsistency from their fit players as they finished in the bottom half of the points table. The team lost each of its first three matches before staging a mini-comeback.
After that, though, CSK bounced back comfortably, winning 6 of their next 8 matches, including ending that run with three wins in a row, to leave themselves in a good position to make the top four.
Ultimately, that did not materialise as the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led team ended the season the same way they had started, by losing three matches in a row.
Since winning their fifth IPL title in 2023, CSK have now failed to make the last four for three years in a row. In 2024 and 2026, Ruturaj Gaikwad was the captain for the full duration of the season, while in 2025, he split captaincy responsibilities with MS Dhoni as the former was ruled out by injury.
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MS Dhoni reportedly a hindrance for potential head coach candidates
A new report by the Indian Express has claimed that Dhoni's presence in the team has made many candidates averse to taking up the coaching job with CSK.
The report mentions that last year, CSK were approached by a 'big name' Indian coach with 'close ties' to the franchise, but he was told to wait. Another potential candidate for the role was reported to be 'convinced' that he would not apply for the job until MS Dhoni was present with the team.
The report went on to say that coaches are feeling concerned about the amount of control they would have over the day-to-day activities of the side, especially if Dhoni continues to loom large.
Stephen Fleming is likely on the chopping block
Apart from MS Dhoni and the owners, former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is the only other figure to remain with CSK throughout all 17 of their IPL seasons.
In 2008, Fleming was signed by CSK as a player and made a significant contribution as the team finished runners-up in the inaugural edition of the IPL. The next year, he was promoted to head coach, replacing former Australia and South Africa batter Kepler Wessels.
Since then, he has remained in the position every single year that CSK have played the IPL. His combination with captain MS Dhoni was the one that delivered all five of CSK's IPL trophies.
After CSK's underperformance in the last three years, he is likely to be the first name out if the owners decide it's time for a change. Fleming's coaching credentials have come under fire as CSK haven't been able to win the IPL since Dhoni quit the full-time captaincy.
Fleming has also not been able to deliver results as a head coach in leagues outside the IPL.
As reported by the Indian Express, a decision on Fleming will only be taken after a decision on MS Dhoni.
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MS Dhoni distances himself from CSK
MS Dhoni did not play any matches for CSK in this year's IPL as he had to face multiple injury issues.
At the start of the season, he developed a calf strain that took longer than expected to heal. Some reports had suggested that, despite being fully fit, he did not play in some matches to prevent himself from disturbing the team combination.
MS Dhoni then missed the last two matches with a thumb injury. In fact, he wasn't seen on the ground in any of the matches except for the last one at home in Chennai, where, after CSK's loss to the Sunrisers Hyderabad, he took a lap across the ground.
Dhoni is reportedly adamant in his desire to have an on-field farewell at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, and that might influence whether or not he appears in IPL 2027.
But that is easier said than done since other reports have mentioned that Dhoni has fallen out with CSK's top leadership and may not be seen anywhere near the franchise once IPL 2026 ends.
