CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan says MS Dhoni’s IPL 2027 future is undecided and depends entirely on the former captain’s personal decision

Questions around the future of legendary cricketer MS Dhoni in the Indian Premier League continue to grow, but Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan has clarified that no formal discussions have yet taken place regarding IPL 2027.

Dhoni, who has long been the face of Chennai Super Kings, did not feature in a single match in the recent season due to fitness concerns. His absence sparked speculation that the previous campaign could mark the end of his playing career in the league. However, fresh uncertainty remains after the franchise confirmed that the decision regarding his future is entirely in his hands.

“No discussion yet with MS Dhoni”

CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan stated that the franchise respects Dhoni’s autonomy when it comes to career decisions and has not initiated any talks about IPL 2027 participation.

“We have not discussed anything with MS as of now. 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,” Viswanathan said in an interview.

His comments underline the franchise’s long-standing approach of allowing Dhoni to decide his own future while keeping the door open for him in any role within the team setup.

Injury concerns kept Dhoni out of action

Dhoni’s absence during the season was attributed to a combination of fitness issues, including a calf injury that worsened during recovery and a thumb problem that further delayed his return to full match readiness. These setbacks prevented him from contributing on the field throughout the campaign.

His unavailability was strongly felt in CSK’s middle order, as the team struggled with inconsistency and ultimately failed to secure a playoff berth.

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Ruturaj Gaikwad continues as captain

Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad returned to lead CSK after previously stepping down due to injury. His leadership has been backed by the franchise despite the team’s mixed results this season.

Viswanathan praised Gaikwad’s development under Dhoni and head coach Stephen Fleming, noting that the young skipper has evolved into a calm and composed leader.

“Ruturaj has learned a lot from MS over the years. With Fleming’s guidance as well, he has developed strong leadership qualities, and we expect him to grow further,” he added.

What lies ahead for CSK and Dhoni?

While speculation continues about whether IPL 2027 could feature another appearance from Dhoni, CSK’s management has made its stance clear — the final decision rests solely with the veteran wicketkeeper-batter.

For now, fans will have to wait for Dhoni’s personal call on whether his storied IPL journey will continue or transition into a mentorship role within the Chennai-based franchise.