CSK hopeful of MS Dhoni return in IPL 2027

The MS Dhoni frenzy reached fever pitch on Walajah Road in Chennai, with growing anticipation that the legendary player would finally take the field on May 18 in what was Chennai Super Kings' penultimate fixture of the IPL 2026 season. It all ended in anti-climax – not only did he miss that final home game, he also did not feature against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad a few days later.

Calf and hamstring issues early in the season and a thumb injury later kept Dhoni out for the first time in 19 years. With his ageing body – he turns 45 this July – and the growing physical demands of the tournament, there is inevitably a question mark over his IPL future.

There was considerable build-up around the May 18 game, as it marked CSK's final home fixture. Given his earlier remark that he would end his IPL career in Chennai, speculation about a possible farewell only intensified.

The CSK franchise does not believe it's the end. "My understanding is that he will come back next season," Kasi Viswanathan, CSK CEO told Cricbuzz. "We have not spoken to him about this, but we hope he will come back. We also hope he keeps his promise to the CSK fans that he will play his last IPL game in Chennai."

In the middle of this season, CSK's final home game was originally scheduled against Gujarat Titans in Chennai on May 21, but the BCCI swapped the venues for the two GT-CSK games because of local elections in Ahmedabad. CSK insiders would not openly admit it, but the change of venue upset some calculations, as did Dhoni's thumb injury.

Dhoni – otherwise deeply hands-on in CSK matters – had largely left decision-making to skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and coach Stephen Fleming. He consciously chose not to interfere. He was particularly pleased that Jamie Overton was performing the finishing role he himself would likely have played.

Uncertainty on Fleming's future too

Cricbuzz understands that the CSK management has not taken a decision on the future of coach Fleming. More specifically, no approach has been made to Rahul Dravid. "We have not taken a call on any cricketing matters. We will review at some stage," Viswanathan said, categorically stating that no contact has been made with Dravid.

Somewhere in the CSK camp there is a perception that the decision should come voluntarily from Fleming himself. The New Zealander, who has been the team coach since Season 2, has won five titles and coached CSK to 10 playoff appearances, but they have not reached the post-league phase for the last three seasons. MI (0.681) and CSK (0.775) – both five-time winners – have the worst and second-worst win/loss ratio in the league since 2022.

Fleming's IPL remuneration was around USD 700,000 per season until a few years ago. Also serving as head coach of Texas Super Kings in MLC and Joburg Super Kings in SA20, Fleming is understood to earn close to USD 1 million from the CSK management.

The MLC begins on June 18, meaning a call on his future is unlikely anytime soon. Before taking any decision, the CSK management will almost certainly take Dhoni into confidence. Dhoni will remain an integral part of the CSK setup whether or not he continues to play, and he is likely to have a major say in any decision concerning Fleming.