Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has outlined two possible routes for the franchise as it searches for a successor to head coach Stephen Fleming. Fleming and CSK parted ways by mutual agreement last month, leaving the five-time IPL champions with an important decision ahead of the next season. Ashwin believes England’s 2019 World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan could emerge as a strong candidate for the position.

However, he also feels CSK could consider relying on the leadership of MS Dhoni for another year before making a long-term coaching appointment. Eoin Morgan does not have extensive experience as a coach at the highest level, but his tactical credentials are highly regarded. He transformed England’s approach in ODI cricket and guided the Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL final in 2021. His aggressive leadership and ability to build a team around a clear philosophy have made him an attractive name in franchise cricket.

Morgan is currently associated with Hundred franchise London Spirit, but Ravichandran Ashwin suggested that his name is already generating significant interest around CSK. “I have a feeling Eoin Morgan might be coming. His name is doing the rounds strongly. Early discussions are on, no doubt,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

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The former India spinner also discussed Brendon McCullum, another name reportedly linked with the CSK coaching role. However, Ashwin believes McCullum’s existing commitments with England’s white-ball teams could make the move difficult, particularly with the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching.

According to Ravichandran Ashwin, Morgan has also attracted interest from other IPL franchises but has previously turned down opportunities. That could make his potential appointment at CSK an intriguing possibility. At the same time, Ashwin believes there is another route that could suit CSK’s current situation: keeping the coaching structure relatively unchanged and allowing MS Dhoni to guide the franchise for another season.

Dhoni remains the most influential figure in CSK after leading the team to five IPL titles. His experience, authority, and understanding of the franchise’s culture could prove valuable during a period of transition.

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Ravichandran Ashwin suggested that CSK could allow Dhoni to take an informal caretaker role while the franchise prepares for the next major phase of its squad-building process. With the IPL mega auction approaching in the future, the franchise may prefer not to rush into a permanent coaching appointment.

“My strongest hunch is that under MS Dhoni’s leadership, like the shoots of a banyan tree, the others will work together. That’s my strongest hunch for at least the next one year,” Ravichandran Ashwin said. For CSK, the decision could ultimately come down to choosing between immediate stability under Dhoni and a fresh tactical approach under Morgan.