With uncertainty surrounding MS Dhoni's availability in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, there are growing murmurs that former captain and
current head coach Stephen Fleming may struggle to align with a new management structure that appears to be functioning without Dhoni's influence.
The narrative around his calf injury surfaced soon after. As Dhoni continues his recovery, the Super Kings are left with just six matches and virtually no chance of making it to the knockout stages.
The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side, which is currently sits at number six in the with 6 points (3 wins and 5 losses), needs to win at least four of its remaining games to get to 14 points. While its not impossible but the way the Yellow Brigade faltered in the first phase of the game and injury to key bowlers, the road to the playoffs looks turbulent for them.
What adds to the intrigue is that Dhoni has been declared fit and has been actively training - running drills, sharpening his batting, and working on his wicketkeeping. Yet, his absence even from a strategic role alongside Fleming on matchdays has raised eyebrows, suggesting there may be more to the situation than meets the eye.
When myKhel reached out to the management of Chennai Super Kings, none of the officials were available for comment.
It is also important to note that Stephen Fleming has been the head coach of the franchise since inception and shares a strong rapport with the management. Over the years, several offers - including approaches from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to coach the Indian team - came his way, but the former New Zealand cricketer chose to stay loyal to the franchise.
Equally significant has been his understanding with Dhoni. Together, they formed one of the most successful partnerships in IPL leading CSK to five titles over the past 18 years.
Another reason the MS Dhoni-Stephen Fleming partnership has worked so well is Fleming's understated approach. The New Zealander has largely stayed in the background, avoiding unnecessary noise and allowing clarity in leadership.
That understanding has long created the impression that Fleming would never leave Chennai Super Kings. However, with the current uncertainty, it's unclear what lies ahead - not just for the Dhoni-Fleming duo, but for the franchise and the rest of the squad as well.
