N Srinivasan back to cricket administration as CSCKL chairman

CHENNAI: Former BCCI president N Srinivasan has commenced his second innings in the cricket arena. The octogenarian has become the chairman of Chennai Super Kings Cricket (CSKCL), the company that owns five-time IPL champions CSK.Srinivasan and his daughter Rupa Gurunath joined the board of CSKCL for the first time in Feb.In the 2025 CSKCL annual report that was published on Tuesday, it was mentioned that Srinivasan took over as the company’s chairman in May from his cousin R Srinivasan. Rupa, meanwhile, was made the whole-time director just a week ago. The development comes more than a year after India Cements — the founder owners of CSK — sold their cement business to UltraTech Cement.

While Srinivasan was the brain and the soul behind the formation of CSK in 2008, he never officially held a post in the franchise. But allegations of conflict of interest did take its toll on the business tycoon’s cricket administrative career, as he had to leave the post of the BCCI president when the spot-fixing scandal was at its peak in 2013. Though Srinivasan became the ICC chairman and his group ran the show in BCCI till 2015, his CSK links weighed heavily against him.

Now with CSK looking to fight back in the IPL after a disastrous 2025 season, Srinivasan’s return as the boss may be seen as a boost, even though he is no longer the strongman that he once used to be due to his failing health. The day to day show in the franchise, going forward, will be run by Rupa and KS Viswanathan — the MD and the CEO of CSKCL.In addition to CSK, the company has a global footprint with teams such as Joburg Super Kings and Texas Super Kings in T20 leagues in South Africa and the United States respectively. It has also set up high performance centres, academies and stadia across Tamil Nadu. CSKCL has also sought approval from its board to increase the borrowing limit to Rs 750 crore for expansion plans. Its 11th annual general meeting will be held on Sept 27.On the other hand, CSCKL profit after tax (PAT) dropped by 20% in FY25 to Rs 181 crore compared to Rs 229 crore during FY24. Its annual revenue also declined by 4.8% to Rs 644 crore in 2024-25 from Rs 676 crore during 2023-24.