Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has confirmed that the franchise has begun planning for life after MS Dhoni, naming Sanju Samson as a long-term replacement following the IPL 2026 auction.
CSK entered the IPL 2026 auction with the second-highest purse of ₹45.5 crore and emerged as one of the biggest spenders. Among their major signings was young uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma, acquired for a record ₹14.2 crore, sparking speculation that he could be groomed as Dhoni’s successor due to his wicketkeeping and finishing abilities.
However, Fleming revealed that CSK’s succession planning began even before the auction, highlighting the high-profile trade that brought Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals to Chennai. Speaking after the auction, Fleming said Samson was identified as a key figure in CSK’s future leadership and batting plans once Dhoni steps away from the game.
“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,” Fleming said.
The CSK coach added that Samson, an established international cricketer, fits perfectly into the franchise’s long-term vision. He also confirmed that Samson will open the batting for CSK.
“Sanju is an international-quality player. He fills that role very well — it’s succession planning. It’s about refreshing and seeing what Chennai will look like in six years’ time, not two years,” Fleming said.
Meanwhile, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan underlined that Dhoni’s presence will continue to play a crucial role in mentoring the team’s younger players. Speaking to Timesnownews.com, Viswanathan said Dhoni remains deeply involved in guiding both CSK players and opposition cricketers.
“He will be there, and he is the guy who is going to help the youngsters. You would have seen it after an IPL game — players, whether CSK or opponents, are always with him for at least an hour after the match, talking about cricket and his advice,” Viswanathan said.
He added that Dhoni’s experience and leadership would be invaluable for CSK’s next generation as the franchise transitions into a new era.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
