A fresh report claiming that MS Dhoni wanted a significant stake in Chennai Super Kings has sparked discussion among cricket fans, but former India and Kolkata Knight Riders batter Aakash Chopra has dismissed the claim as unrealistic.
According to a report cited by NDTV, Dhoni was allegedly seeking a 25 per cent stake in CSK. The reported demand was later said to have come down to 20 per cent, while the franchise was allegedly willing to offer him a much smaller 5.5 per cent stake. However, there has been no official confirmation from Dhoni or CSK regarding the reported negotiations.
Chopra, who also played for KKR during his career, questioned the credibility of the report while discussing the matter on his YouTube channel. He pointed to the enormous valuation of the CSK franchise and suggested that a 25 per cent stake would represent a huge financial commitment.
"There was talk of 1.7 to 1.8 billion when RCB were bought just now," Chopra said, referring to the reported valuation involved in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's ownership change. He added that CSK operates at a similar level of value because of its five IPL titles and its wider franchise presence.
Chopra went further and described the 25 per cent stake story as something that could have been planted, rather than a genuine account of negotiations. His comments have added another layer to the speculation surrounding Dhoni's future association with CSK.
Dhoni's relationship with the Super Kings has been one of the most important stories in IPL history. He led the franchise to five IPL titles and became closely associated with its identity. Even after his playing role began to reduce, his influence within the team remained significant.
Dhoni did not play in IPL 2026, according to the latest report, but continued to attract considerable attention around CSK. His future role with the franchise has therefore remained a major talking point.
Earlier, former CSK batter Robin Uthappa had also predicted that the 2026 season could mark the end of Dhoni's playing career in the IPL, with the legendary cricketer potentially moving towards a mentor-type role. Uthappa's comments came amid CSK's increasing focus on developing younger players.
For now, the reported 25 per cent stake remains unverified. With no official statement from Dhoni or CSK, Chopra's comments have reinforced the view that fans should treat the claim cautiously.
What appears certain, however, is that Dhoni's connection with CSK remains bigger than his role as a player. Whether as a mentor, adviser or in another capacity, the former captain is likely to remain an important figure in the franchise's future.
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