CSK urged to ‘fix MS Dhoni’s role’ before naming next head coach: ‘Don’t need anyone from outside’

Chennai Super Kings are preparing for a major change in their coaching setup following Stephen Fleming’s departure, but former India batter Kris Srikkanth has ruled out two high-profile names linked to the vacancy.

Srikkanth said former England captain Eoin Morgan and current England white-ball coach Brendon McCullum should not be considered for the CSK head coach role. Instead, he backed the franchise’s current batting coach, Michael Hussey, as the ideal successor to Fleming.

Fleming’s departure brings an end to an 18-year association with CSK, during which the former New Zealand captain guided the franchise to five IPL titles. The two parted ways by mutual consent.

Morgan has emerged as one possible candidate for the vacant position. Former CSK and India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently discussed the coaching vacancy on his YouTube channel and suggested that the franchise was seriously considering the former England white-ball captain.

However, Srikkanth strongly opposed the idea.

“I won’t go for Eoin Morgan for sure. He was a good player and a good captain for England. But as a coach, I won’t accept him as an option,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

He also ruled out McCullum, pointing to the England coach’s existing international commitments and the challenge of balancing the IPL role with preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

“Likewise, it’ll be good for CSK if they don’t appoint Brendon McCullum as the head coach. They should say no to both Morgan and McCullum,” Srikkanth said.

‘Fix Dhoni’s role’

Srikkanth believes CSK already have the right candidate within their existing setup in Michael Hussey, widely known as “Mr Cricket”.

“CSK don’t need anyone from outside when they have Mr. Cricket with them. Michael Hussey should be the automatic head coach. He will be the best choice,” he said.

However, Srikkanth added that CSK must first determine MS Dhoni’s role before finalising the coaching structure.

Dhoni’s future remains a key question for the franchise after the legendary wicketkeeper-batter did not play a single match during IPL 2026. Srikkanth said the extent of Dhoni’s future involvement and influence at CSK needs to be settled before the franchise makes other major decisions.

“But what will MS Dhoni’s place in CSK be going forward? That arrangement has to be fixed first, and only then will everything else fall in place,” he said.