N. Srinivasan Returns as Chairman of Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited Ahead of IPL 2026

N. Srinivasan has officially taken charge as chairman of Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL) ahead of the IPL 2026 season as reported by The Hindu BusinessLine. The change comes after Ultratech bought out India Cements in December 2024, which had earlier removed Srinivasan and his daughter Rupa Gurunath from the CSKCL board. However, in February 2025, both were brought back as additional directors.

Srinivasan now holds 0.11% shares in CSKCL, while his wife Chitra and daughter Rupa own 0.03% and 0.01% respectively. Alongside them, long-time CSK official K. S. Viswanathan, who became Managing Director in September 2024, has been confirmed to continue in the role until 2028. This marks the first time Srinivasan and Rupa are part of the CSK board together.

The company’s FY25 report shows that EWS Finance & Investments Pvt. Ltd. is the largest promoter with 47.08% holding, followed by smaller stakes held by Srinivasan and his family. In addition, shareholders’ long-standing demand for dividends is finally being met. The CSK board has recommended a dividend of ₹1 per share (₹37.9 crore in total), which will be paid out of FY25 profits once approved at the AGM.

“The Season XVIII of the Indian Premier League commenced on 22nd March 2025 and the matches were played from March to June 2025. While your IPL Franchise Chennai Super Kings did not qualify for the Knockouts, we remain optimistic of a strong comeback and an improved performance in the upcoming seasons,” the company said in its annual report.

“The company is constantly expanding its global footprint by participating in T20 leagues hosted by other nations with its global franchises like “Joburg Super Kings” in Cricket South Africa (CSA) T20 League and “Texas Super Kings” in Major League Cricket in The United States of America, and by increasing the number of its Cricket Academies abroad. The company says it is also setting up, developing and managing various sports academies and performance centres and these are set to increase in the near future.

Financially, CSK saw a dip in FY25 with revenues dropping 4.7% to ₹644 crore and net profit falling 20% to ₹181 crore. The company attributed the decline mainly to the absence of IPL prize money, which had boosted earnings in FY24. Despite this, the franchise remains one of the most valuable and popular in the league.

CSK has also proposed changes to its Memorandum of Association, allowing it to make money from the play fields, courts, stadiums, and other facilities and lands it owns. The franchise explained in its annual report that the extra income from this move would add to and support its existing business.

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