Former Indian batter Kris Srikkanth has lambasted the Chennai Super Kings for deceiving spectators using the name of MS Dhoni after their 89-run loss in the final game of the season against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on May 21.
The wicketkeeper-batter did not feature even once for the five-time champions, even after it was reported that he would miss just the early games due to a calf issue. The calf issue was followed by another thigh issue, which kept the player out of the squad.Â
Srikkanth expressed displeasure at the uncertainty around the legendary player featuring for the team, a narrative that was upheld by coach Stephen Fleming and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.Â
“Before the season started, they said he has got a leg injury and that they are hoping to have him soon. Fleming also sang the same song, Ruturaj Gaikwad also sang the same: ‘He might be ready for the next match’. And then before the match, CSK will have a video of Dhoni training to show the fans and hint he is fit and he might play,” Srikkanth said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“Then they said, ‘No, no. He is still recovering from the injury’. And then they said he got injured in the thigh. Stop this deception. You should make it clear. If he is not going to play the entire season, fair enough. Fans would have been mentally prepared had you made that clear,” Srikkanth said.
He expressed that if there was uncertainty around Dhoni’s featuring, it should have been conveyed to the fans earlier, instead of leaving them in suspense. He added that the fans would have appreciated the clarity in this situation and would have moved on accordingly.
“If you ask them on a match-by-match basis, Ruturaj will say ‘the big man will be available for the next game’. He kept repeating it. That is where the management, the captain and Stephen Fleming should have said it forthright: ‘He is not playing this season, he is not fully fit’. Fans would have agreed and moved on,” he opined.
Dhoni era is over: Srikkanth on CSK’s future
The former Indian captain further added that fans should not be deceived anymore by the name of Dhoni, whose time at the franchise has come to an end. The legendary wicketkeeper has led the team to all of their triumphs in IPL history. He stated further that no one is asking about whether Dhoni will play or not.
“If you look at it honestly, nobody is missing Dhoni. Nobody is asking for Dhoni in the matches. I think people are asking why he is not in the dressing room, but how many are asking that he is not playing? The Dhoni era is over. Dhoni is one of the greatest cricketers the IPL has produced and one of the greatest captains. You should have made it clear. Why do you keep deceiving fans,” he questioned.
The Super Kings were eliminated from IPL 2026 after their loss to the Titans, missing the playoffs for the third time in succession since their triumph in 2024. They finished their season with 12 points from six wins and eight losses.
