CSK wrapped up their IPL 2026 season on a kind of disappointing note, with their chances going bust pretty much early, since they crashed out of the playoff race after getting just 12 points from 14 matches. And at the same time, people are already talking about changes in the coaching setup, sort of quietly but also not so quietly, MS Dhoni’s name has ended up in that conversation too, which is… unexpected. Before this, the team had a rough IPL 2025 too. They finished right at the bottom of the table, for the first time ever in the history of the tournament, so it feels like a repeat, and in 2026 Chennai again couldn’t manage to qualify for the playoffs. Naturally this repeated setback has annoyed a lot of fans. A fair number of them seem unhappy with the approach and overall mindset of the current coaching group, which is led by Stephen Fleming . Stephen Fleming became CSK’s head coach in 2009, and honestly he’s been in that role for these past 17 years. His pushy, pretty successful bond with former captain MS Dhoni, helped Chennai lift five IPL titles together. Still, ever since Dhoni stepped down as captain, the whole picture has not looked the same. Because CSK have been finding it a bit hard to assemble a balanced squad again and again, some reports say the franchise started looking at other options, not just keeping everything static with Fleming. As per the Indian Express, CSK apparently held internal talk about who could replace Fleming in a longer run, like a long-term change, rather than something short term. However, one well-known Indian coaching candidate reportedly decided not to go for the role, more or less, because he had doubts about how much authority he would really have, while MS Dhoni is still a huge figure within the franchise. The same report also mentioned that another coaching option was basically told to wait, before taking the job seriously, because major changes within CSK are expected only once Dhoni fully steps away from the setup. So even if MS Dhoni may not be in every tactical discussion anymore, his influence, reputation, and overall presence are said to still mould the franchise culture in a big way. That said, Dhoni’s weight on CSK’s internal calls has, in the past, always been quite heavy. The legendary former captain got that kind of standing after steering the franchise to five IPL titles. So, if CSK ever decides to put the spotlight on Stephen Fleming’s future, the whole thing would almost certainly brush up against MS Dhoni. Fleming and Dhoni also have a pretty close rapport, like not just professional, but something steadier and more real. Because of that, getting Dhoni to back a big transition may not be as smooth as people think for CSK. However, the franchise still has to revisit what’s been keeping the team stuck, and get ready for tough calls, before the next IPL season rolls around. Also Read | 3 Biggest Reasons Behind Chennai Super Kings’ Group Stage Exit in IPL 2026 At the same time, a lot of observers suggest CSK’s longer-term worries would calm down if MS Dhoni retires from the IPL. He actually missed the 2026 season with calf and thumb injuries, and there’s more. Besides that, the 44 year old has also been managing a chronic knee issue which reduces his influence on the field, bit by bit. CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad recently gave an update on Dhoni’s future, like saying the veteran will take a call before the 2027 season. Right now, however even the owners and management still seem a bit unsure about what comes next, and it’s kind of hanging in the air. Now, CSK fans obviously have a strong emotional bond with Dhoni due to his past accomplishments but keeping him around for too long might actually tug the franchise back, because every successful chapter eventually ends, no matter how good the momentum feels at the start .