MS Dhoni Absolved as Ravichandran Ashwin Urges CSK to Move Past Legendary Era
MS Dhoni for CSK in IPL [Image Credits: AFP]
CSK’s Playoff Hopes Crushed After Heavy Defeat to Gujarat Titans
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) saw their IPL 2026 campaign come to a disappointing end on Thursday, May 21. Facing Gujarat Titans in match number 66 of the season, the defending champions suffered a crushing 89-run defeat at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Chasing a formidable target of 230 runs, CSK’s batting lineup collapsed under pressure, folding for just 140 runs in 13.4 overs. This loss marked their third consecutive defeat, officially eliminating them from the playoffs race.
Under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chennai Super Kings concluded their league stage with a disappointing record of six wins and eight defeats from 14 matches. Stranded at 12 points with a dismal Net Run Rate (NRR) of -0.345, the five-time champions now sit seventh on the 10-team points table. CSK has joined Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and rival five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) as the teams officially knocked out of the tournament.
MS Dhoni Given a Clean Chit Amid Injury Woes
With the franchise facing intense scrutiny for their poor performance, legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni has effectively been given a clean chit. The former captain spent the entirety of the IPL 2026 season on the sidelines due to a persistent calf strain. Initially ruled out for the first two weeks of the tournament, Dhoni failed to achieve full recovery, preventing him from playing a single match. This marked the first time in his legendary IPL career that Dhoni did not feature in a single game of a season, absolving him of any direct responsibility for the team’s on-field struggles.
Ravichandran Ashwin Urges CSK to Move Beyond the ‘Dhoni Era’
Former Indian all-rounder and CSK legend Ravichandran Ashwin has shared his candid thoughts on the franchise’s current state. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin emphasized that the team needs a major overhaul before the IPL 2027 season. He firmly stated that the franchise must move past the iconic MS Dhoni era to adapt to modern T20 cricket.
“This is not Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings. Not at all. That time has changed. And you have to keep in mind that success will come. But it will come slowly,” Ashwin remarked openly.
Ashwin urged the CSK management to rebuild the squad with a focus on experienced and versatile bowlers. “Honestly, I will say this openly, CSK has to invest in quality. They have to invest in quality cricketers. I mean, make a quality team. With experience. Bowling experience. Variety in fast bowlers. Variety in spinners. A team has to be formed in a good way,” he added.
The Chepauk Conundrum and Squad Mismatch
Ashwin also raised concerns regarding CSK’s squad selection, particularly how the team was built for their home games at the MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk). Despite Chepauk traditionally being a fortress for Chennai, the veteran spinner observed that the current squad composition did not suit the home conditions, which ultimately hampered their campaign.
Praise for Shivam Dube and Kartik Sharma
Despite the overall disappointing season, Ashwin pointed out a few bright spots in CSK’s batting lineup, particularly praising hard-hitting middle-order batters Shivam Dube and Kartik Sharma for their fighting spirit.
Regarding Dube, Ashwin noted, “Honestly speaking, Shivam Dube’s batting was very positive for Chennai. But I have an observation. I think the squad that is picked to play in their home game, in Chepauk, I think it is not suiting them.”
Ashwin was also highly impressed by young talent Kartik Sharma, highlighting his rare technical abilities against spin bowling. “Kartik Sharma has that ability. He plays the spinner a little late, he plays inside-out shots, he uses his feet in front. Today’s batters, if you count them on one hand, how many have the ability to use their feet while batting?” Ashwin praised.
The Road to IPL 2027: A Crucial Transition Phase
With the IPL 2026 chapter closed, Chennai Super Kings face a critical transition phase. As Ashwin pointed out, the franchise can no longer rely on the aura of the MS Dhoni era to carry them through. To reclaim their status as title contenders in IPL 2027, the management must address their bowling depth, adapt their squad to suit Chepauk’s unique pitches, and trust the young core of players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Kartik Sharma to lead them into a new era of success.
