Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have firmly dismissed reports claiming that former captain MS Dhoni demanded a 25 per cent ownership stake in the franchise, calling the speculation baseless.
Rumours surrounding Dhoni’s alleged equity demand had spread rapidly across social media, with reports suggesting that negotiations between the legendary cricketer and the CSK management had reached a deadlock. However, the franchise has now made it clear that no such discussions ever took place.
CSK official denies MS Dhoni’s 25% ownership demand
According to reports circulating online, Dhoni had allegedly sought a 25 per cent stake in CSK. The claim suggested that he later reduced his demand to 20 per cent, while the franchise supposedly offered only 5.5 per cent.
Those claims have now been rejected by a senior CSK official.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, the official stated that Dhoni had never approached the franchise regarding an ownership arrangement.
“MS has never asked us about it. We never discussed the matter. We also don’t have any information about him having discussed this with Mr N Srinivasan either.”
The statement effectively shuts down speculation that Dhoni and CSK were involved in negotiations over a substantial equity transfer.
What is Dhoni’s actual stake in CSK?
While Dhoni has no reported 25 per cent holding in the franchise, he does have an existing financial connection with Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL).
CSKCL is an unlisted company, meaning its shares are not traded on public stock exchanges such as the NSE or BSE. Transactions involving its shares take place privately.
Dhoni is estimated to own more than 100,000 shares in the company. Compared with the more than 30 crore shares outstanding, his holding represents only a small percentage of the overall equity.
The value of Dhoni’s existing shareholding has been estimated at around ₹2.6 crore to ₹3 crore, a figure dramatically different from what a 25 per cent stake would represent.
N Srinivasan family remains in control of CSKCL
The ownership structure also provides important context to the viral claim.
Former BCCI president N Srinivasan and his family are understood to retain a controlling interest of more than 55 per cent in Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited.
That makes a sudden transfer of a quarter of the company to Dhoni a major commercial transaction rather than a routine adjustment to the former captain’s existing association with the franchise.
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Aakash Chopra questions the 25% stake claim
Former India cricketer and analyst Aakash Chopra had also questioned the financial logic behind the reports.
With leading IPL franchises valued in the region of $1.5 billion to $1.8 billion, a 25 per cent stake could theoretically be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Chopra pointed out that such a stake would require an enormous financial investment rather than simply being handed over.
“Nobody gives $400 million to anyone for free. To get a 25 per cent stake, you have to invest that money.”
He also highlighted CSK’s status as one of the biggest brands in the IPL, making the reported numbers even harder to accept at face value.
Dhoni remains one of the most influential figures in CSK history after leading the franchise to multiple IPL titles and becoming synonymous with the team’s identity.
For now, the franchise has made its position clear: there were no negotiations over a 25 per cent stake, and reports of a commercial deadlock between Dhoni and CSK do not reflect the club’s account of the situation.
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