The search for Chennai Super Kings‘ next Head Coach has already prompted debate over who should lead one of the Indian Premier League‘s most successful franchises, with former CSK spinner Ravichandran Ashwin throwing his support behind MS Dhoni as Stephen Fleming’s ideal successor.
Fleming and Chennai Super Kings mutually agreed to part ways this week, ending one of the longest and most successful coach-franchise partnerships in IPL history. After joining CSK as a player in the inaugural 2008 season, the New Zealander became head coach the following year and helped establish one of the league’s most consistent teams, guiding the franchise to five IPL titles, two Champions League Twenty20 trophies, 10 IPL finals and 12 playoff appearances.
Ashwin says it is time for CSK to look ahead
Reflecting on the partnership between Fleming and Dhoni, Ashwin suggested their long-standing working relationship had been central to CSK’s success while also indicating the franchise had reached the right moment to begin planning for its next phase.
“Fleming really understood what ticked [MS] Dhoni, and Dhoni understood that Fleming was a great lieutenant, and that partnership carried on for such a long time. I would say it was about time Chennai Super Kings looked beyond,” Ashwin said, speaking to Yash Jha on Cricinfo.
Dhoni remains Ashwin’s preferred choice
With the head coach position now vacant, Ashwin believes the franchise already has the strongest possible candidate available if Dhoni is prepared to move into the role.
“If Dhoni is willing to do that [take over as coach], there is no better person that Chennai Super Kings can go after,” he said.
Ashwin also addressed the alternative scenario if Dhoni does not take on the role.
“If not, they need to find someone who will be able to operate independently and take accountability for his or her own actions,” he added.
Any successor faces a unique challenge
Ashwin also pointed to Dhoni’s continued influence within the Chennai Super Kings setup, suggesting that whoever succeeds Fleming will inherit a role unlike most coaching positions in franchise cricket.
“I think there is a small aspect of uncertainty for anybody who will walk into that dressing room. Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a huge name, and he’s still very much a part of the discussion when you’re talking about a squad that will be picked to play,” he said.
Whoever ultimately replaces Fleming will take charge of one of the IPL’s most decorated franchises, with Chennai Super Kings entering a new era after nearly two decades under the New Zealander’s leadership. The appointment is expected to be one of the most closely watched coaching decisions ahead of the 2026 IPL season.
