Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are slowly turning a very emotional page, and for the first time in IPL history, the franchise has openly accepted something fans have both feared and expected for years, and that is life after the legendary MS Dhoni.
The CSK head coach, Stephen Fleming, admitted that they are now preparing for the future without MS Dhoni. This shift became clear at the IPL 2026 Auction in Abu Dhabi when CSK took a bold and difficult call. Before the auction, they parted ways with one of their biggest match-winners, Ravindra Jadeja, and traded him to the Rajasthan Royals in exchange for Sanju Samson.
CSK finally accept the inevitable as life after MS Dhoni begins
For nearly two decades, the Chennai Super Kings have been MS Dhoni’s team. His calm presence, sharp mind, and leadership behind the stumps shaped the identity of the franchise. Even in recent seasons, when his role with the bat was reduced, his influence on the field never faded.
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CSK bowlers trusted him, youngsters learned from him, and the team revolved around his guidance. Because of that bond, Chennai never rushed into planning a replacement. But this time, they accepted the reality that Dhoni will not be around forever. Instead of delaying the inevitable, CSK chose to prepare calmly, just the way Dhoni himself would have done.
Stephen Fleming said at the IPL 2026 Auction in Abu Dhabi, as quoted by India Today: “For us, the opportunity was there. We felt we were still a little bit light in our opening batting. And we were also looking at the fact that at some point, MS will move on.”
CSK bet on Sanju Samson for stability, leadership, and the future beyond MS Dhoni
Sanju Samson’s arrival signals that change. Chennai sees Samson as more than just a batsman or a wicketkeeper. They see experience, leadership potential, and someone who understands pressure at the highest level.
He brings stability at the top and offers a natural option to take over responsibilities when required behind the stumps and as a captain as well.
Fleming further explained, “Sanju is an international-quality player, and he fills that role very well. So, it’s succession planning, but it’s also about refreshing the group and looking at what Chennai will look like in six years, not just two.”
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CSK break tradition with bold youth-first strategy at IPL 2026 Auction
Interestingly, Chennai Super Kings clearly showed at the IPL 2026 Auction that their thinking has changed. They surprised everyone by spending ₹14.2 crore each on two uncapped youngsters, Prashant Veer and Karthik Sharma. It was a big and bold move that showed CSK are now ready to invest heavily in young players instead of depending only on experienced players.
For many years, CSK was known for trusting senior players and sticking with proven performers. That approach brought them a lot of success. But now, the team is starting to look different after the past few poor seasons. The current CSK squad is much younger than before, which is a clear sign that the franchise is planning for the long term and will make a strong comeback in 2026.
