India, Oct. 19 -- MS Dhoni's biggest influence on Chennai Super Kings may no longer come with the bat in his hand. It now comes with the decision he makes for the team's future, the Zaheer Khan appointment is the latest indicator of that.

But underneath the shifting roles lies the question of how Chennai Super Kings can still handle the larger Dhoni question -- of keeping him around while preparing for life beyond him-as they still have sponsors to convince and brand value to maintain.

Nineteen years ago, Chennai made one of the boldest calls. Unlike the Mumbai Indians, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, or the three other franchises, CSK did not chase an 'icon' player in 2008. They placed their $1.5 million bet on Dhoni, the freshly-crow...