Chennai: Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has suggested that MS Dhoni could take on a mentorship role at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, following the appointment of Zaheer Khan as the franchise’s head coach.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin discussed the changes at CSK and said the working relationship between Dhoni, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Zaheer would be worth watching. His comments come after a difficult IPL 2026 campaign for the five-time champions, who finished eighth with 12 points and missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season.

Dhoni did not feature in a single match during the 2026 season because of injury. His future role at the franchise has consequently become a subject of interest as CSK prepares for the next edition of the tournament.

Ashwin expects Dhoni to mentor the team

Ashwin believes Dhoni could remain an influential presence in the CSK setup even if he does not take on the same responsibilities as in previous seasons.

“With the new coaching staff, it’ll be interesting to watch the dynamic between Dhoni, Zaheer and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Dhoni will likely be the mentor. So how Gaikwad works with Zaheer, or whether he goes to Dhoni, will be interesting to see,” Ashwin said.

His assessment points to a potentially different division of responsibilities within the franchise. Zaheer, as head coach, would oversee the coaching setup, while Gaikwad would continue to lead the side on the field. Dhoni’s experience and understanding of CSK could allow him to guide players and offer advice on team decisions.

However, Ashwin’s comments were an assessment of what could happen rather than an official announcement from CSK. The franchise has not been quoted in the supplied report as confirming that Dhoni will formally become a mentor.

Dhoni has long been associated with CSK’s leadership and decision-making. His experience across multiple IPL campaigns, including championship-winning seasons, makes his potential involvement in a mentoring capacity an important talking point ahead of the next season.

Zaheer Khan takes charge as head coach

Zaheer’s appointment marks a change in CSK’s coaching structure after the departure of long-serving head coach Stephen Fleming.

The former India fast bowler brings experience from his playing career and previous work in franchise cricket. He mentored Lucknow Super Giants during the 2024 season and was also associated with Mumbai Indians.

Zaheer played 100 IPL matches for teams including Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His experience across different franchises could provide a new perspective as CSK looks to improve after successive seasons outside the playoffs.

According to the report, Zaheer was preferred over former India batter Hemang Badani for the position. Badani had been associated with Delhi Capitals during a period in which the team struggled to achieve consistent results.

CSK’s management reportedly wanted an Indian coach this time, with Dhoni, Gaikwad and franchise owner Rupa Gurunath involved in the decision-making process.

The appointment gives CSK a new coaching leader as the franchise reviews its recent performances and considers how to rebuild its competitive momentum.

Ashwin questions Fleming’s departure

Ashwin also reflected on Fleming’s exit, highlighting the long-standing relationship between the New Zealander and Dhoni.

Fleming had been a central figure in CSK’s coaching setup for years, working closely with Dhoni through several successful IPL campaigns. Ashwin suggested that Fleming’s approach had been closely aligned with Dhoni’s leadership style.

“Fleming seemingly modified himself to fit in with Dhoni. He made himself the perfect fingers to fit into Dhoni’s gloves. So it is surprising to see CSK decide that Fleming couldn’t adapt himself to a new captain after two to three years. Fleming’s modus operandi is to fit in based on the needs of the team and captain,” Ashwin said.

His comments raise questions about the transition from Dhoni’s captaincy to Gaikwad’s leadership and how the coaching staff adapted to the change.

Fleming’s partnership with Dhoni had coincided with several successful CSK campaigns. Ashwin contrasted that period with the more challenging results under Gaikwad, suggesting that the franchise’s decision to move on from Fleming was surprising given the coach’s reputation for adapting to the needs of a team.

The comments reflect Ashwin’s interpretation of the decision and do not establish the franchise’s full reasoning for making the coaching change.

CSK faces a crucial transition

CSK’s eighth-place finish in IPL 2026 has increased attention on the franchise’s plans for the coming season. The team ended the campaign with 12 points and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year.

Dhoni’s absence because of injury added another complication. His experience and influence have been closely associated with the franchise, but CSK must also prepare for the practical demands of building a team around its current captain and coaching staff.

Gaikwad’s relationship with Zaheer will be important as the new head coach establishes his approach. At the same time, Dhoni’s possible involvement as a mentor could provide continuity during the transition.

The precise responsibilities of each figure remain to be confirmed. Ashwin’s remarks nevertheless underline the interest surrounding the balance between coaching, captaincy and Dhoni’s continued influence at CSK.

What Dhoni’s future could mean for CSK

Dhoni’s role has been one of the most closely watched questions surrounding CSK as the team looks beyond a disappointing campaign. His absence from the entire 2026 season because of injury has also brought greater attention to how the franchise might use his experience in the future.

A mentoring role would allow Dhoni to contribute his knowledge of the IPL and CSK’s culture without necessarily requiring him to perform the same on-field duties as in previous seasons. Such an arrangement could also give Gaikwad and Zaheer more room to establish their partnership while retaining access to Dhoni’s experience.

For now, however, Ashwin’s comments should be treated as an indication of what he expects rather than confirmation of Dhoni’s official role.

CSK enters the next season with a new head coach, a captain tasked with improving results and questions about how its most recognisable figure will contribute. How Zaheer, Gaikwad and Dhoni work together could become a defining feature of the franchise’s preparations.