Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are slowly turning the page on excitement as, for the first time in the history of IPL, the franchise is openly coming to terms with what fans have both feared and anticipated for years, life after the legendary MS Dhoni.

CSK head coach Stephen Fleming admitted that they are now preparing for a future without MS Dhoni. The shift became clear at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi when CSK took a bold and tough decision. Before the auction, they parted ways with one of their biggest match-winners, Ravindra Jadeja, and traded him to Rajasthan Royals in exchange for Sanju Samson.

CSK finally accepts the inevitability of life after MS Dhoni

Chennai Super Kings have been MS Dhoni’s team for almost two decades. His clinical presence, sharp mind and leadership behind the stumps shaped the image of the team. Even in recent seasons, when his role with the bat has diminished, his impact on the field has never faded.

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CSK bowlers trust him, youngsters learn from him and the team revolves around his guidance. Because of this connection, Chennai was never in a hurry to plan a replacement. But this time, they accepted the reality that Dhoni would not be around forever. Rather than delaying the inevitable, CSK chose to prepare calmly, just as Dhoni himself would have done.

“The opportunity is there for us. We feel our opening batting is still a little light. And we are also looking at the fact that at some point, MS will move on,” Stephen Fleming said at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi, India Today reported.

CSK bets on Sanju Samson’s stability, leadership and future beyond MS Dhoni

The arrival of Sanju Samson marks this change. Chennai consider Samson to be more than just a batsman or a wicketkeeper. They see experience, leadership potential and someone who understands the pressures at the top.

He brings stability to the top order and provides a natural option to take over responsibility when needed behind the stumps, as well as captaining the order.

Fleming further explained, “Sanju is an international-caliber player and he fills the role very well. So, it’s succession planning but also about refreshing the team and seeing what Chennai will look like in six years’ time instead of two years’ time.”

Also read: Former CSK star claims MS Dhoni’s IPL retirement announcement could be canceled anytime now

CSK breaks tradition with bold youth-first strategy in IPL 2026 auction

Interestingly, Chennai Super Kings made it clear during the IPL 2026 auction that their mind has changed. They surprised everyone by spending Rs 14.2 crore each on two uncapped young players, Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma. This is a big and bold move and shows that CSK is now ready to invest heavily in young players instead of relying solely on experienced players.

Over the years, CSK has been known for trusting senior players and sticking with proven players. This approach brought them great success. But now, after the last few bad seasons, the team is starting to look different. The current CSK roster is much younger than before, which is a clear indication that the team is planning for the long term and will make a strong comeback in 2026.