Is This the Beginning of the End for MS Dhoni at CSK? Franchise Lays Post-Dhoni Plans

Chennai Super Kings appear to be preparing for a post-MS Dhoni era, with the acquisition of Sanju Samson and other young talents indicating a clear succession strategy. Head coach Stephen Fleming revealed that the franchise carefully weighed Dhoni’s future before finalising key trades during the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi.

Sanju Samson, 31, was acquired from Rajasthan Royals in exchange for Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja for Rs 18 crore. Fleming emphasized that the move was aimed at reinforcing opening batting while planning for the eventual transition from Dhoni, who at 44 is approaching the twilight of his career. “Sanju is an international-quality player and fills that role very well. It’s about succession planning and refreshing the group,” Fleming said.

In addition to Samson, CSK made a bold investment in 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma for Rs 14.2 crore, signaling a long-term focus. With four wicketkeeper-batters now in the squad—Dhoni, Samson, Kartik, and retained youngster Urvil Patel—the franchise is clearly planning for continuity and depth beyond the veteran captain.

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The Mumbai cricketer Sarfaraz Khan was also secured for Rs 75 lakh, adding further strength to the batting and wicketkeeping department. These moves reflect a shift towards building a youthful core, contrasting with CSK’s traditional reliance on experience in previous seasons.

CSK’s auction strategy saw 60% of their purse spent on two uncapped talents, Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer, a 20-year-old all-rounder from Uttar Pradesh, each acquired for Rs 14.2 crore. This demonstrates a strong commitment to developing a younger, long-term squad.

Fleming’s comments and the franchise’s spending indicate that while Dhoni remains central to CSK, the team is already laying the foundation for sustained success after his eventual retirement. The strategic focus on youth and succession planning could define the next phase of Chennai Super Kings’ legacy in the IPL.

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