MS Dhoni Will Move On: Stephen Fleming’s IPL 2026 Auction Remark Sparks Buzz Among CSK Fans
CSK coach Stephen Fleming reveals why the team traded Jadeja and Curran for Sanju Samson, hinting at future plans beyond MS Dhoni.
MS Dhoni Will Move On: Stephen Fleming Explains CSK’s Bold Trade for Sanju Samson at IPL 2026 Auction
Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has stirred conversation across the cricket world with his candid comments at the IPL 2026 Auction, where he addressed CSK’s bold decision to trade Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals in exchange for Sanju Samson.
Fleming openly admitted that the move was part of CSK’s long-term planning as the franchise prepares for the day when MS Dhoni eventually steps away from the game.
“At Some Point, MS Will Move On” — Fleming’s Honest Take
Speaking at the auction, Fleming said the team needed to strengthen its opening options and also plan for a future beyond Dhoni.
“For us, the opportunity was there. We felt we were still a little bit light in our opening batting,”
“And we were also looking at the fact that at some point, MS will move on.”
Dhoni, who has led CSK to five IPL titles, remains the heart of the franchise. But with the legendary captain in the twilight of his career, CSK is now focusing on succession planning.
Why Sanju Samson?
Fleming praised Samson’s value and long-term fit:
“Sanju is an international-quality player, and he fits that role very well.”
He added that the decision was about future-proofing the squad:
“It’s succession planning, but also about refreshing the group and looking at what Chennai will look like in six years, not just two.”
The trade that sent Jadeja and Curran—two of CSK’s biggest stars—to Rajasthan Royals was one of the biggest talking points of the auction.
A New Era: CSK Shifts Focus to Youth
CSK, long known as the “Dad’s Army” for backing experienced players, has clearly changed direction.
The shift began during IPL 2025, when CSK brought in young talents like Ayush Mhatre and Urvil Patel.
This trend continued at the 2026 auction, where they spent:
₹14.2 crore on uncapped all-rounder Prashant Veer
₹14.2 crore on uncapped batter Kartik Sharma
Fleming admitted the franchise’s earlier hesitation to evolve:
“As the game has evolved, we might have been a little bit slow to evolve with it. Only halfway through the 2025 tournament we had a big shift.”
