Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) spinner and commentator Ravi Ashwin has reckoned that Stephen Fleming continued as the franchise’s coach for 17 years because of his good rapport with MS Dhoni.
Speaking exclusively on Cricinfo, Ashwin asserted that there is no better person that CSK can go after as a head coach than MS Dhoni. Notably, Fleming stepped down as a head coach after a poor IPL 2026 season.
“Fleming really understood what ticked 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 on Cricinfo.
“If Dhoni is willing to do that, there is no better person that Chennai Super Kings can go after,” he said.
Furthermore, Ashwin warned that if CSK appoints an outside coach, it might backfire because of Dhoni’s continued influence within the franchise, adding that he might not be able to work with freedom.
In the concluded IPL 2026 season, CSK managed to settle for the eighth rank with six wins and eight losses in 14 games, picking up only 12 points at an NRR of -0.345.
“If not, they need to find someone who will be able to operate independently and take accountability for his or her own actions,” Ashwin said.
“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 concluded.
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