Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has strongly criticised the Chennai Super Kings management over the handling of MS Dhoni’s fitness during IPL 2026, accusing the franchise of misleading supporters throughout the season. Speaking on his YouTube channel after CSK’s crushing 89-run defeat to Gujarat Titans, Srikkanth said the constant uncertainty surrounding Dhoni’s availability created false hope among fans. The former chief selector took aim at captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, head coach Stephen Fleming and the support staff for repeatedly suggesting the veteran wicketkeeper could return soon despite him missing the entire campaign. “Before the season started, they said he has got a leg injury and that they are hoping to have him soon,” Srikkanth said. “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.” Dhoni was initially ruled out because of a calf injury suffered before the tournament. While the injury was expected to keep him sidelined briefly, reports later mentioned a thigh strain and eventually suggestions emerged that he was being rested due to team balance concerns. Despite the uncertainty, CSK never officially confirmed that Dhoni would miss the entire season. The veteran batter also did not travel with the squad for away fixtures and was seen only during CSK’s final home game at Chepauk, where he participated in the customary lap of honour. Even then, speculation about a comeback continued. Ironically, after CSK’s final league game, Gaikwad fuelled more speculation when he responded to broadcaster Graeme Swann’s question on Dhoni’s future by saying: “You will know next year.” Srikkanth believes the franchise should have been transparent with supporters from the beginning rather than keeping fans guessing throughout the campaign. “Then they said, ‘no, no. He is still recovering from the injury’. And then they said he got injured in the thigh,” Srikkanth said. “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.” The former opener added that the management continuously created expectations on a game-by-game basis instead of openly addressing Dhoni’s status. “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 added. Srikkanth also stated that CSK supporters are prepared for life after Dhoni and no longer expect the franchise icon to continue indefinitely. “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?” CSK’s disappointing season ended with the franchise missing out on the playoffs for the third consecutive year. The five-time champions finished with only 12 points from 14 matches and are set to remain in the bottom four of the standings.