Ashwin says Dhoni will likely mentor CSK after Zaheer Khan appointment
Ashwin believes Dhoni will shift to a mentorship role at CSK after Zaheer Khan replaced Stephen Fleming as head coach.
Ravichandran Ashwin said MS Dhoni will likely move into a mentorship role at Chennai Super Kings after Zaheer Khan replaced Stephen Fleming as head coach. Ashwin made the comments on his YouTube channel following CSK's decision to part ways with Fleming after 18 years. The franchise finished eighth in IPL 2026 with 12 points and missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season.
Dhoni missed the entire 2026 season due to injury and will turn 46 during IPL 2027. Ashwin noted that Fleming had adapted his approach to suit Dhoni's leadership style, and he expressed surprise that CSK decided Fleming could not make a similar adjustment for captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. CSK managing director Kasi Viswanathan confirmed Dhoni will continue as a player for IPL 2027.
Zaheer Khan previously mentored Lucknow Super Giants and was associated with Mumbai Indians. Ashwin also said Dhoni never emphasised fitness at CSK and urged the new coaching staff to bring a cultural shift with a dedicated high-performance trainer.
CricHubb Take
The real test will come when Ruturaj Gaikwad must decide whether to consult Zaheer Khan on match strategy or continue seeking input from Dhoni, who remains the franchise's most successful captain.