CHENNAI: The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is planning to enter women’s cricket and then gradually explore opportunities across other sports disciplines in the coming years, its chief executive officer Kasi Viswanathan said on Monday.
At present, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Gujarat and Delhi IPL franchisees have teams in the Women’s Premier League, besides a team from UP.
Speaking during a fireside chat with senior sports journalist Boria Majumdar at the Tamil Nadu Global Tourism Summit 2026, Viswanathan said CSK's immediate focus would remain cricket, with women's cricket identified as the first area of expansion.
"Not immediately, but certainly in the coming years, CSK will expand its footprint. Our first target will be women's cricket. We may also go into other sports over time," he said, stressing that the franchise would adopt a phased and sustainable approach.
Dismissing suggestions of management interference during IPL matches, Viswanathan said on-field decisions were taken exclusively by the playing group. "Only the captain and the players take the calls during matches. The CSK management does not interfere in anything related to match situations," he said.
He also spoke at length about former captain M S Dhoni and his enduring bond with Tamil Nadu. "Dhoni may be from another State, but the way he has embraced CSK and Tamil Nadu is why he is 'Thala' here. He plays for the team without any barriers, and the people of Tamil Nadu have accepted him as one of their own, as a son, a brother and a child of this soil," Viswanathan said.
On the issue of ticket availability, the CSK CEO said the franchise would make efforts to accommodate genuine cricket lovers travelling from outside the State or from overseas. "If fans come to Chennai for matches and are unable to get tickets, they can approach me. We will try our best to accommodate them," he said.
Viswanathan also underlined the franchise's emphasis on trust and loyalty. "We treat every player who represents CSK as our own son. That relationship reflects in the loyalty shown by players like Ruturaj Gaikwad," he said.
Looking ahead, he revealed that CSK was open to hosting a limited number of IPL matches outside Chennai. "Two IPL matches can be held outside Chennai in the future. The upcoming stadium in Coimbatore can be considered, which would make it easier for fans from Kerala and the southern and western districts of Tamil Nadu, " he said.
Industries Minister TRB Rajaa and Tourism Minister R Rajendran were present at the session, with Rajaa also sharing his views on why Dhoni continues to enjoy an unparalleled connect with cricket fans in Tamil Nadu.