CSK CEO hints at head coach role for MS Dhoni:Chennai management willing to give ‘permanent fixture’ to Thala at the franchise

CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has hinted that the team management will be okay if MS Dhoni takes over as the head coach in the future. The Chennai franchise owner thinks Thala can stay as a ‘permanent fixture’ at the franchise, whether as a player, head coach or a mentor. Notably, the Chennai legend did not appear in any of the games for CSK due to various issues and injuries. Still, the former CSK captain is the oldest active uncapped player in the IPL, at the age of 44. Moreover, IPL 2026 was the first season in which Dhoni did not make an appearance as a player since the start of the league in 2028. CSK owner narrates a list of prospects for Dhoni after retirement Chennai Super Kings owner Kasi Viswanathan dubbed MS Dhoni a ‘permanent fixture’ for the franchise and has hinted that the team management is okay with the veteran taking over as the head coach in the near future. Notably, the statement coming from the CSK owner is quite big considering Dhoni’s absence from the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League. While speaking to RevSportz, the CSK CEO confirmed that although the management has not discussed any plans with Chennai legend, they’re willing to do whatever it takes to keep MS at Chennai Super Kings. He said, “MS takes his decisions on his own, and we respect that. We would always like to have him as a permanent fixture at CSK in whatever capacity — be it as a player, coach or mentor. Whatever it is, it depends on what he decides. Every decision depends on him.” Why is CSK CEO looking at Dhoni through ‘Permanent’ lens? What makes the remarks of Kasi Viswanathan more important is the fact that Stephen Fleming’s role as head coach is under severe scrutiny after the team failed to make it to the IPL playoffs for the third consecutive time. Last week, former CSK star Ravichandran Ashwin backed the idea of Dhoni replacing Fleming as the head coach, while adding that the team didn’t need to look elsewhere when MSD is present. Backing Ashwin’s opinion on the issue, Dhoni carries the qualities and conditions most suitable to take over the job of Stephen Fleming. The first one is that he has been part of the CSK team set up since its inception. The second is the hoard of injuries that Dhoni is accumulating at 44 years of age, and he will turn 45 next year. So he’ll turn into a great guiding asset for the Chennai Super Kings.