The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), one of the most successful and beloved franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), is entering a new era ahead of IPL 2026. Following a phase of leadership changes and ownership restructuring, N. Srinivasan, the veteran cricket administrator and industrialist, has officially returned as the Chairman of Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL) — the company that owns the CSK franchise.
This marks Srinivasan’s full-fledged comeback to cricket administration after nearly a decade, bringing stability and legacy leadership back to the franchise.
CSK Ownership and Leadership (IPL 2026)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) |
| Owner Company | Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL) |
| Chairman | N. Srinivasan |
| Whole-Time Director | Rupa Gurunath |
| Managing Director & CEO | K.S. Viswanathan |
| Major Shareholder | EWS Finance & Investments Pvt. Ltd. (47.08%) |
| Net Worth (2025) | ₹2,000+ crore ($240 million) |
| IPL Titles | 5 (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023) |
| Expected Change | MS Dhoni’s possible farewell in IPL 2026 |
Current Owner of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2026
Chennai Super Kings is owned by Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL), a subsidiary company formed by India Cements Limited. However, after Ultratech Cement’s acquisition of India Cements in 2024, CSK was segregated as an independent company.
In 2025, N. Srinivasan and his daughter Rupa Gurunath were reappointed to the board, and Srinivasan officially took over as Chairman of CSKCL.
| Franchise | Owner Company | Chairman (2026) | Key Directors | Managing Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL) | N. Srinivasan | Rupa Gurunath, Chitra Srinivasan | K.S. Viswanathan |
The Srinivasan family collectively holds a major stake in CSKCL through direct shareholdings and associated investment firms. The largest single shareholder is EWS Finance & Investments Pvt. Ltd., with around 47.08% holding in the company.
Also Read: Top 10 Most Successful IPL Captains
CSK Ownership Structure and Net Worth
The ownership structure of CSK reflects the legacy and business expertise of the Srinivasan family. After Ultratech’s acquisition of India Cements, CSK’s operations became independent but remained largely under Srinivasan’s influence due to family-controlled shareholding.
Shareholding Pattern of CSKCL (as of FY25):
| Shareholder | Shareholding (%) |
|---|---|
| EWS Finance & Investments Pvt. Ltd. | 47.08% |
| N. Srinivasan | 0.11% |
| Chitra Srinivasan | 0.03% |
| Rupa Gurunath | 0.01% |
| Others (Minority Investors) | Remaining |
The estimated net worth of the CSK franchise in 2025 stood at over ₹2,000 crore ($240 million), making it one of the most valuable sports teams in India.
Financial Report and Dividend Announcement
For the first time in its history, CSKCL announced a shareholder dividend of ₹1 per share (totaling ₹37.9 crore) for the financial year 2024–25, a sign of financial stability and responsible management.
However, the company’s FY25 report showed a slight dip in performance due to the absence of IPL prize money after finishing last in the 2025 season.
| Financial Metric (FY25) | Value | Change (YoY) |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | ₹644 crore | ↓ 4.7% |
| Net Profit | ₹181 crore | ↓ 20% |
| Dividend Declared | ₹1 per share | First in CSK history |
Despite this dip, CSK’s brand remains incredibly strong — supported by loyal fans, global franchises, and strong sponsorships.
Global Expansion and New Ventures
CSKCL is rapidly expanding its global footprint through its sister franchises and cricket academies across continents. The company has ownership and operations in:
- Joburg Super Kings (South Africa’s SA20 League)
- Texas Super Kings (Major League Cricket, USA)
- Chennai Super Kings Academies (India, UK, UAE, and USA)
The franchise also plans to monetize its stadiums, training facilities, and sports academies, generating additional income streams through event hosting and sports infrastructure management.
N. Srinivasan’s Return as Chairman
N. Srinivasan, one of Indian cricket’s most influential figures, has officially returned as Chairman of CSKCL ahead of IPL 2026. His daughter Rupa Gurunath, who also served as President of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, has been appointed as the Whole-Time Director.
Srinivasan, 80, brings decades of administrative experience — having served as BCCI President (2011–2013) and ICC Chairman (2014–2015). Despite controversies in the past, his leadership remains widely respected for business acumen and cricketing foresight.
According to CSK CEO K.S. Viswanathan, “Srinivasan’s return is a great boon for the franchise. His administrative wisdom and vision will guide CSK to stronger growth both in India and abroad.”
The Dhoni Factor – Final Season Ahead?
With the management transition now complete, one major question surrounds MS Dhoni’s future with CSK. Reports suggest that IPL 2026 could be Dhoni’s farewell season, as he approaches age 44.
While Dhoni’s leadership has been the heart of CSK’s success, the management may start planning for long-term succession. Insiders indicate that Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja are among the top candidates to lead the team post-Dhoni.
Regardless, both N. Srinivasan and K.S. Viswanathan have assured that Dhoni will be given a respectful and celebrated farewell whenever he decides to retire.
CSK’s Legacy and Achievements
| Year | Achievement | Captain |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | IPL Champions | MS Dhoni |
| 2011 | IPL Champions | MS Dhoni |
| 2018 | IPL Champions | MS Dhoni |
| 2021 | IPL Champions | MS Dhoni |
| 2023 | IPL Champions | MS Dhoni |
Despite finishing last in IPL 2025, CSK remains a five-time champion and one of the most consistent teams in IPL history, having qualified for playoffs in 12 of their 15 seasons.
You Can See Also:- Why CSK Was Banned for 2 Years?
Future of CSK Under New Leadership
With N. Srinivasan back at the helm and K.S. Viswanathan continuing as Managing Director till 2028, Chennai Super Kings are gearing up for a period of restructuring, expansion, and revival.
Plans include:
- Strengthening overseas league presence.
- Developing global academies for young cricketers.
- Revamping the team setup for post-Dhoni era.
- Exploring monetization of owned sports facilities.
Conclusion
As of IPL 2026, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is owned by Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL), with N. Srinivasan serving as Chairman and Rupa Gurunath as Director. Despite a difficult 2025 season, the franchise remains financially strong, globally recognized, and emotionally tied to its fans.
Srinivasan’s return marks not just a management shift — it signals the start of a new chapter for CSK, combining legacy leadership, strategic business growth, and the emotional farewell of one of cricket’s greatest icons, MS Dhoni.
The Srinivasan family remains at the heart of CSK’s ownership and operations. Under their leadership, CSK is poised to rebuild its legacy and expand globally — proving yet again that the “Yellow Army” will continue to roar both on and off the field.
