An Indian cricketer and former captain Srinath Ramanathan has voiced strong dissent over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) management’s handling of MS Dhoni’s fitness during the IPL 2026 tournament. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ramanathan accused the team of creating false hope among fans by continuously suggesting Dhoni could return despite his ongoing injuries. He highlighted how the management, including coach Stephen Fleming and support staff, repeated untruths about his current state, even suggesting he might be fully fit for upcoming games. Ramanathan emphasized that transparency was crucial to avoid unnecessary speculation and maintain trust with supporters. 'Before the season began, we told everyone he had a leg injury and were hopeful he would return soon,' he said. However, the team never officially confirmed his absence. While some reports hinted at a thigh strain, the focus remained on balancing player availability rather than addressing the issue directly. Ramanathan believes the franchise should have communicated its stance clearly from the start, ensuring fans were prepared for uncertainty. 'If you ask them on a game-by-game basis, Ruturaj Gaikwad would repeat, “He may be ready,”’ he noted. This approach led to confusion, but Ramanathan argues that such deception undermines both cricket and fan loyalty. Despite the disappointing performance, the CSK team missed out on the playoffs for consecutive years, finishing with only 12 points from 14 matches. Ramanathan concludes that the Dhoni era will end, leaving fans to wonder whether the legendary player will remain in the spotlight.
