Chennai Super Kings have quietly turned a page. After years of being tagged as the IPL’s “Dad’s Army”, CSK’s approach at the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi signalled a clear shift — without abandoning what the franchise believes in most: experience, process and MS Dhoni.
Speaking exclusively after the auction, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed that the franchise is stepping into its next five-year cycle, with Dhoni continuing to play a central role in shaping the team’s future.
A subtle shift, not a forced reset
CSK’s auction strategy this year stood out. The franchise invested heavily in young, uncapped Indian talent, headlined by Uttar Pradesh’s 20-year-old left-arm spinner Prashant Veer and Rajasthan’s 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma, both bought for ₹14.20 crore each.
For a team known for backing seasoned players, the move naturally raised questions about a conscious attempt to move away from the “Dad’s Army” label. Viswanathan, however, downplayed the idea of a dramatic reset.
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“I wouldn’t say it is a conscious effort,” he said. “Taking into account the kind of changes that have come into T20 cricket, we are trying to adapt to it. That’s it.”
According to him, the thinking was simple — balance youth with experience rather than swing to extremes.
“In a team setup where a lot of youngsters are coming in, the experience of players like MS becomes very important. We felt a blend of youth and experience would help us.”
Handling pressure on big-money youngsters
Buying teenagers for eight-figure sums often brings scrutiny and pressure, but CSK believe their environment is built to absorb that.
“We follow a process and we don’t pressurise players,” Viswanathan explained. “They need time to gel into the team and perform. I’m sure they will be able to do that.”
This philosophy has long defined CSK — back players, give them clarity, and avoid knee-jerk reactions.
Why MS Dhoni still matters
At the heart of CSK’s long-term planning is MS Dhoni. While speculation around his on-field role continues every season, Viswanathan made it clear that Dhoni’s value goes far beyond matchdays.
“His presence is very, very crucial,” he said.
“You would have seen it after IPL games — players, whether CSK or opponents, spend at least an hour with him after the match, talking cricket and taking advice.”
For a squad now packed with young Indian players, that mentorship could prove invaluable.
“That matters a lot, and it will be beneficial for these youngsters,” Viswanathan added.
Next five-year cycle officially begins
When asked directly if this approach marks the start of CSK’s next five-year phase, Viswanathan didn’t hesitate.
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“Yes,” he confirmed.
It’s a clear message: CSK are evolving with the times, but not losing their identity. Youth is coming in, experience remains the backbone, and MS Dhoni is still the glue holding it all together.
CSK full squad for IPL 2026
MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson (traded from RR), Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Urvil Patel, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Khaleel Ahmed, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Mukesh Choudhary, Jamie Overton, Gurjapneet Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, Zak Foulkes
