Ashwin: Dhoni Calling All Shots at CSK, Likely Mentor

R Ashwin has lifted the lid on the new power structure at Chennai Super Kings, revealing that MS Dhoni is running the show behind the scenes. Speaking on his YouTube channel on October 19, Ashwin said it is clear that Dhoni is doing all the decision-making at the franchise.

The comments shine a light on a fascinating new era for CSK. With Zaheer Khan installed as head coach and Mohit Sharma as bowling coach after Stephen Fleming stepped down, Dhoni sits at the centre of every big call. According to Ashwin, the former captain will likely take up the mentor role for IPL 2027.

Ashwin Drops a Big Hint on His YouTube Channel

Ashwin has never been afraid to speak his mind, and his latest YouTube episode was no different. The former India spinner, who knows the CSK dressing room from the inside, told his viewers that Dhoni is the man behind the recent coaching appointments at the franchise.

His words were direct: it is “clear that Dhoni is doing all the decision-making in terms of the new coaches”. That single line confirms what many in the IPL had suspected for weeks. The appointments of Zaheer Khan and Mohit Sharma did not happen by accident, and they did not happen without the approval of the most powerful figure in the CSK setup.

Ashwin went further, suggesting that Dhoni will “likely be the mentor” for the 2027 season. A formal mentor role would simply put a title on the influence that Dhoni has always carried at Chennai. Few voices in world cricket carry that kind of weight in a dressing room.

Dhoni at the Centre of Every Decision

The idea of Dhoni as the decision-maker surprises nobody who has followed CSK. For nearly two decades, the franchise has been built around his calm leadership and his unmatched reading of the game. Even when he was not the official captain, his word was final on the field.

What is new is how open the arrangement has become. In the past, the structure showed Stephen Fleming as head coach and Dhoni as captain or senior player. Now, with Fleming gone, there is no buffer between Dhoni and the big calls. The franchise has effectively handed the keys to its greatest legend.

This matters because CSK are at a crossroads. Three straight seasons without playoffs have tested the faith of even the most loyal supporters. If anyone can lead the turnaround, the franchise believes it is the man who delivered five IPL titles. The decision-making power now matches the responsibility.

The New Faces: Zaheer Khan and Mohit Sharma

The coaching shake-up saw Zaheer Khan take over as head coach and Mohit Sharma come in as bowling coach. Both appointments carry the fingerprints of Dhoni, who has worked closely with each of them during their playing careers.

Zaheer brings a sharp cricket brain and a strong presence, while Mohit understands the demands of T20 bowling from his long IPL career. Together with Dhoni as the guiding force, the new setup blends experience with fresh thinking. It is a very CSK way of doing things: trust people you know, and back them fully.

The real test will come under pressure. Coaching changes always bring new methods and new voices, and the players must buy into the plan quickly. With Dhoni overseeing the transition, the dressing room is unlikely to split into camps. His authority settles every debate before it starts.

Three Seasons Without Playoffs: Why Change Was Needed

The numbers explain why CSK pressed the reset button. The 2026 campaign ended with the team in eighth place after six wins from fourteen matches, and it was the third season in a row without a playoff appearance.

For a franchise with five titles and a reputation for consistency, that run was unacceptable. The aura around CSK had started to fade, and rival teams no longer feared the trip to Chepauk the way they once did. Something had to change.

Dhoni himself missed the entire IPL 2026 season with calf and thumb injuries, robbing the team of its guiding presence at the age of 45. His absence was felt in every close game, and the leadership group struggled without him. Bringing him back into the heart of decision-making is the clearest signal that CSK want the old standards restored.

The Dhoni-Zaheer-Ruturaj Dynamic to Watch

Ashwin pointed to one storyline above all others: the dynamic between Dhoni, Zaheer Khan and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad will be fascinating to watch. Three strong cricket minds, three different generations, one shared goal of returning CSK to the top.

Ruturaj remains the on-field captain, and his growth as a leader will define this era. Having Dhoni as mentor and Zaheer as head coach gives him the best possible support system, but he must still make the tough calls in the middle. The 2027 season will show how much he has matured.

The calendar adds urgency to the project. The retention deadline falls on November 15, and the IPL 2027 auction takes place in Goa on December 16. The new leadership group must agree on the squad blueprint fast, and every decision will be watched closely across the IPL.

For the fans in yellow, the message is simple: the king is back at the controls. Whether the Dhoni-led reset can end the playoff drought will be the biggest story of the season. Career numbers on ESPNcricinfo remind everyone what Dhoni has achieved, and CSK are betting that his magic works from the dugout too.