Krishnamachari Srikkanth, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, has publicly criticized the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) management for their handling of MS Dhoni's fitness during the IPL 2026 season. Following CSK's disappointing 89-run loss to the Gujarat Titans, Srikkanth expressed his frustration on his YouTube channel, claiming that the management misled fans about Dhoni's potential return. Initially sidelined due to a calf injury, Dhoni's condition was later complicated by a thigh strain, yet CSK never officially confirmed his absence for the entire season. Srikkanth pointed out that the constant shifting narratives from captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and head coach Stephen Fleming left fans in a state of uncertainty. He argued that transparency from the start would have allowed supporters to mentally prepare for Dhoni's absence. Despite the speculation surrounding Dhoni's future, Srikkanth noted that fans have come to terms with the end of the Dhoni era and are not actively missing him in matches. CSK's season concluded with them finishing in the bottom four, marking their third consecutive year without playoff qualification.