For years, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and MS Dhoni have been two sides of the same coin. Dhoni and CSK have been synonyms: Dhoni is CSK and CSK is Dhoni. However, with the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) most successful skipper absent from the 2026 season, it has given CSK a chance not just to move on from him but to carve an identity of their own.
They have tried it on a couple of occasions. The 2022 season seemed to be the time when the baton would be passed on. Ravidra Jadeja seemed to be Dhoni’s natural successor as someone who had been with the franchise for over a decade. He was a fan favourite and was one of the best all-rounders in the league.
Refusal to move on from Dhoni
It was a massive shoe to fill. CSK were defending champions, going into the new era under Jadeja, but he was not given the long run as one hoped. Let alone an entire season, Jadeja was sacked as captain after just eight matches, winning just two of them. While that’s certainly not acceptable for a team that has won five IPL titles one cannot turn things around overnight. However, with patience running out, the CSK management turned back to Dhoni in the middle of the season.
Something similar happened in 2025 as well, when new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was injured in the middle of the season. CSK went back to the familiar face of Dhoni once again.
In 2026, with CSK having won just two of their first six matches, there were certainly murmurs about whether this team is capable of restoring their glorious past. A past where there were often jokes stating IPL was a tournament in which teams competed to play against CSK in the final. Such was their dominance under Dhoni, who has been associated with them right from the first season and continues to be its heartbeat despite underwhelming performances.
Lack of confidence in Jadeja
Fans did everything to catch a glimpse of their hero. Chepauk or any other stadium in the country would be studded with a sea of yellow to catch Dhoni bat, even to the extent of them celebrating their batters’ dismissal to fasten Dhoni’s arrival. Win or loss did not matter to the fans, as long as they saw Dhoni whack a few out of the park.
There are, in fact, speculations that Jadeja decided to move back to his old franchise, Rajasthan Royals (RR), in a trade deal as he was unhappy with the constant booing when he was at the crease and the joyous reaction he got from the crowd when he was dismissed. After all, ‘Thala’ was in next and Jadeja was in the way!
However, with three wins in their last five matches, CSK have finally found rhythm, and perhaps a set playing XI, which they lacked in the last couple of seasons. They can now, in reality, think of a place in the playoffs, which once upon a time was a given.
Samson proving his worth
With Sanju Samson stepping up along with Gaikwad, it has been a relief for CSK. On top of that, their two new INR 14.2 crore recruits, Prashant Veer and Karthik Sharma, have also shown glimpses of why they were bought at such high prices at the auction.
In a tournament where even 220 is not enough, CSK have managed to keep their bowling under control. They have the best economy rate (9.02) in the tournament so far. In fact, their pacer Anshul Kamboj is currently the joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 scalps to his name.
Moreover, the likes of Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein have done their bit to keep the batters in check. Hosein, who is known for his exemplary skillset in the powerplay, has been the lynchpin behind CSK’s success in the first six, as 66.67% of his deliveries have been dots. He has also picked up three wickets in nine overs in the powerplay.
Unlucky with injuries
Like a few teams this season, CSK too have been unlucky with injuries this season. Nathan Ellis was ruled out even before the tournament started, and to make matters worse, even Khaleel Ahmed was injured just five matches into the tournament.
However, CSK’s biggest loss came in the form of teenager Ayush Mhatre, who was a perfect No. 3 for CSK and an ideal candidate to bat in that position in the long run. Samson, Gaikwad and Mhatre in the top three certainly make it a formidable top-order. What is more frustrating from a CSK point of view is that Mhatre was just about getting into this groove before a hamstring injury ruled him out.
After a duck in the first match, Mhatre hit 73, 1, 59, 38 and 30 in his next five innings, striking at nearly 178.
Dhoni is yet to play a game in the season, and there are plenty of speculations that his participation in IPL 2026 is not guaranteed. While it is disappointing for the fans, it could be a blessing in disguise for the franchise, who are in the middle of a transition. A transition that could take a couple of seasons, if not more. While having Dhoni back strengthens CSK, at the same time, it could be two steps back for them as well.
For Gaikwad to grow as a player and leader, Dhoni’s next steps could become extremely vital.
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