The disappointing IPL 2026 campaign of MS Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings has now sparked fresh criticism after former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth slammed the franchise management for how they handled updates regarding Dhoni’s fitness and availability throughout the season.
For the first time in many years, Dhoni did not play a single match for Chennai Super Kings during an IPL season. Ahead of IPL 2026, CSK management had initially stated that Dhoni suffered a calf strain which would keep him out for two weeks. However, as the tournament progressed, fans continued receiving mixed updates about his recovery.
At one stage, a member of the coaching staff claimed Dhoni had suffered another calf strain during rehabilitation, delaying his return even further. Later, ahead of CSK’s final home game, the franchise mentioned that the veteran cricketer had also suffered a thumb injury.
Despite repeated suggestions that Dhoni could return “next match,” the former CSK captain never made it back onto the field. He was spotted at the stadium during Chennai’s final home fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad, but only briefly, mainly for fan interaction and photographs.
Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings’ difficult season officially ended after their defeat against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Thursday, which knocked them out of the playoff race. Dhoni reportedly left the camp even before the match took place.
Following CSK’s exit, Krishnamachari Srikkanth openly criticised the franchise management for not being transparent with fans from the beginning. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the 1983 World Cup winner said the constant hope around Dhoni’s return only created unnecessary confusion and disappointment among supporters.
Srikkanth said the franchise should have clearly announced earlier that Dhoni would miss the entire season instead of repeatedly hinting at a possible comeback.
“They kept saying he’ll be ready for the next match. Then they would post videos of him in the nets and raise hopes again,” Srikkanth said while expressing frustration over the situation.
According to him, if CSK had honestly informed fans from the start that Dhoni would not play at all in IPL 2026, supporters would have mentally accepted it much earlier.
He also pointed out that captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and team management kept suggesting that the “big man” would return soon, which only increased expectations among fans throughout the tournament.
Srikkanth further made a strong statement saying that while people still deeply respect and love Dhoni, fans were not necessarily missing him as a player during matches anymore. According to him, most discussions were more about Dhoni’s absence from the dressing room and leadership environment rather than his on-field presence.
“To be honest, nobody is missing Dhoni in the matches,” Srikkanth said, before adding that “the Dhoni era is over.”
The statement has now triggered intense debate among cricket fans online. While some supporters agreed that CSK should have communicated more clearly about Dhoni’s fitness situation, many others defended the legendary former captain and argued that his influence on the team extends far beyond just playing matches.
Dhoni remains one of the most iconic figures in Indian cricket history and is widely credited for transforming Chennai Super Kings into one of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League. Even in seasons where he played limited cricket, his leadership, calmness and connection with fans continued to make him the emotional face of the franchise.
However, after a season where CSK failed to reach the playoffs and Dhoni stayed away from action completely, discussions around the future direction of the team and the beginning of a true post-Dhoni era have now become louder than ever.
