Legendary India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has hinted that Chennai Super Kings have settled on a name as their new coach. The five-time champions parted ways with former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming last month after a slew of poor finishes.
The Men in Yellow didn’t make the IPL playoffs for a third successive season this year. It also coincided with Texas Super Kings finishing at the bottom of the table in Major League Cricket’s 2026 campaign.
Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel for his Tamil audience, said that former England skipper John Morgan could take over as the new CSK coach. “I have a strong feeling that someone who hasn’t coached and hasn’t exercised his experience even as a mentor. He won the World Cup for England in 2019, and Eoin Morgan could be on his way to becoming Chennai’s next coach.”
“As of now, Super Kings doesn’t have a coach, and it is being said that something will be decided by next week. I have a feeling that this will go to Dhoni and others will work under his leadership. And one feels that this will be the right call because we have one year for the next mega auction,” he added.
“His (Morgan) name is being put forward and discussed. There is no doubt about it. We also have to wonder if he will take charge of the team that was built by someone else in the mini-auction,” he mentioned.
Morgan started leading the English side in 2015 and endured a terrible World Cup, which saw his side get knocked out in the opening round. He soon made his side an attacking outfit, leading to a win in the 2019 World Cup.
Australian legend to be overlooked for coaching role
During the course of the same chat on his YouTube channel, the former Indian star was asked if Michael Hussey could be promoted as the head coach. To which R. Ashwin replied, “I have a strong feeling that MS will be in charge for the next year before someone else takes over the job.”
It means that Hussey could be used as a support staff member in the next season. MS Dhoni didn’t play the 2026 season after sustaining a few fitness issues, and the 45-year-old could be offered the role of a player and mentor if he decides to prolong his playing career.