As the dust settles on IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings find themselves at a defining crossroads. A team that has dominated the IPL narrative for over a decade now faces the task of rebuilding, recalibrating, and reigniting its winning fire. The 2025 season offered a reality check; CSK can no longer afford to live in the shadows of past glories.
With Ruturaj Gaikwad now leading the franchise and with MS Dhoni likely entering his final IPL season, the franchise must strike a balance between sentiment and strategic direction.
In many ways, IPL 2026 presents CSK with an opportunity to evolve into a modern, data-driven, youth-fueled unit while retaining the cultural ethos that has made them five-time champions.
This is the CSK IPL 2026 game plan, one that takes stock of past mistakes and maps out a bold and visionary path forward.
IPL 2025 Review: Brutal Truths CSK Must Acknowledge
CSK’s 2025 season was underwhelming by all metrics. Injuries, inconsistency, and outdated approaches resulted in a 10th-place finish, with only four wins in 14 matches. But deeper than the numbers, it was the decision-making and strategy flaws that hurt the most.
1. Break Free from Outdated Strategies
CSK has long been admired for its loyalty and experience-first model. However, in a rapidly evolving T20 ecosystem, adhering to past formulas can be fatal. IPL 2025 proved this.
The management banked heavily on experienced Indian batters like Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, and Vijay Shankar. All three, unfortunately, failed to deliver. Their strike rates were poor, their intent was outdated, and their inability to anchor or accelerate in crunch games cost CSK big.
Similarly, overseas acquisitions like Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, once pivotal, looked completely off-colour in the 2025 campaign. Conway struggled with strike rotation and fluency. Rachin was either underutilised or miscast in the playing XI.
2. Let Go of Emotions
CSK has always been about sentiment, but the game now demands clarity over nostalgia. Devon Conway, Ravichandran Ashwin, and even Rachin, former CSK favourites, failed to adapt. The franchise has to now move away from emotional investments and make decisions purely based on performance and team balance.
That means tough calls must be taken, even if it means parting ways with former title-winning players. The future belongs to those willing to embrace change.
3. Look Beyond MSD
There’s no denying MS Dhoni’s stature and aura. But CSK cannot afford to build its entire strategy around a 44-year-old icon, no matter how great he is.
While Dhoni’s experience and tactical acumen remain invaluable, his on-field impact is diminishing, and 2025 saw signs of fatigue, with dropped catches, slower movements, and increased reliance on “Impact Player” status.
The franchise must look to create a team that wins games independently of Dhoni’s presence, allowing him to play the mentor role rather than the match-winner. That will be Dhoni’s greatest legacy: to leave behind a team that can succeed without him.
CSK Team Building: The Core is Established
If 2025 brought pain to CSK, it also brought promise. Amidst the gloom, a new core emerged, one that looks ready to take the baton forward.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain)
Classy, composed, and now a county cricketer for Yorkshire, Gaikwad’s evolution from opener to leader has been seamless. Despite an injury-hit 2025, he is CSK’s long-term captain and spiritual successor to Dhoni.
Ayush Mhatre (Opener)
The 17-year-old sensation lit up the 2025 season with 240 runs at a strike rate close to 190. He is fearless, adaptable, and the future of CSK’s top order.
Shivam Dube (Middle-Order Muscle)
A consistent performer, Dube offers a mix of power-hitting and part-time bowling. He will be crucial to CSK’s middle-overs punch.
Dewald Brevis (Overseas Finisher)
The South African prodigy scored 225 runs in six matches and was CSK’s most explosive middle-order presence. He’s un-droppable now.
Ravindra Jadeja (Vice-Captain & All-Rounder)
Jadeja remains the glue that holds the team together. His experience, fitness, and dual skills make him the X-factor, especially in Chepauk conditions.
Noor Ahmad & Matheesha Pathirana (Bowling Spine)
The Afghan left-arm mystery spinner and the Sri Lankan slinger are CSK’s bowling future. Their wicket-taking ability in the middle and death overs is a foundation to build upon.
Khaleel Ahmed (Left-Arm Pace)
A valuable Indian pacer who offers variety and powerplay penetration.
This core ensures that CSK doesn’t need to scramble at the 2026 auction. What they now need are complementary players to plug the gaps and ensure they have flexibility across conditions.
Dhoni’s Legacy Plan: A Final Push for Glory
With all signs pointing to IPL 2026 being Dhoni’s final season, CSK’s motivation will be sky-high. The management, players, and fans will want to give their Thala a fitting farewell, but not through just sentiment.
If Dhoni is to walk away with a sixth title, the franchise must ensure:
- He isn’t overburdened physically or mentally
- He plays as a finisher or Impact substitute, not as a full-time keeper
- Leadership is fully in Gaikwad’s hands, allowing Dhoni to mentor from the background.
The best way to honour Dhoni is not by overplaying him, but by allowing the franchise he built to now stand on its own feet. That would be the ideal culmination of the Dhoni legacy plan.
IPL 2026 Roadmap: Smart Investments, Ruthless Decisions
Going into the IPL 2026 auction, CSK must follow a clear and bold roadmap:
1. Invest in Multi-Dimensional Players
Players like Mitchell Owen, Dasun Shanaka, Michael Bracewell, or even an experienced Rashid Khan-type all-rounder would bring balance and flexibility. Target players who can contribute to two departments.
2. Offload Spent Forces
It’s time to move on from players who peaked years ago. Whether it’s Tripathi, Hooda, Shankar, or underwhelming overseas picks like Conway or Rachin, there must be no room for sentiment.
3. Retain and Back Youth
CSK’s young brigade has arrived, and they must be given backing. Mhatre, Brevis, Noor, and even lesser-used talents like Urvil Patel or Anshul Kambhoj can play key roles with proper grooming.
4. Prioritise Death Bowling Depth
Pathirana and Khaleel are solid, but another reliable Indian or overseas death bowler must be added. This is one area where CSK struggled immensely in 2025. Expect them to retain Nathan Ellis.
5. Build a Strong Bench
A strong bench ensures injuries don’t derail the campaign like in 2025. CSK should look at wild card players, under-22 Indian talents, and associate nation stars who bring spark.
CSK’s future strategy isn’t about reinvention, it’s about evolution. The franchise has the building blocks of a championship-winning team. What it now needs is clarity, ruthlessness, and forward-thinking.
The CSK IPL 2026 game plan isn’t just about winning another trophy. It’s about creating a system where the team can win with or without Dhoni, where strategy replaces sentiment, and where the next generation takes centre stage.
IPL 2026 isn’t just another season. It’s the beginning of CSK 2.0. And if they play their cards right, it might just end with one last trophy lift, and the perfect sunset for a certain #7.
