Stephen Fleming has come under sharp scrutiny as Chennai Super Kings continue to struggle in IPL 2026, with former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh questioning the impact of a coach without MS Dhoni at the helm. Ramesh suggested that Fleming’s success was largely due to Dhoni’s guidance over the years.
The worrying slide of ČSK only intensified the debate. After finishing bottom in 2025, the five-time champions started IPL 2026 with three straight defeats viz.including a heavy loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Bengaluru, leaving them bottom of the table.
“Fleming has never succeeded anywhere without Dhoni’s captaincy. It is clear that Fleming’s success is entirely dependent on Dhoni. As the game evolves, as the player’s fitness is analysed, the coach must be given the same treatment,” Ramesh said.
“Stephen Fleming doesn’t seem to have the mindset to adapt to today’s aggressive game. He seems to be five steps behind,” he added.
The numbers surrounding CSK’s recent slump paint a worrying picture. The transition from Dhoni to Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain ahead of IPL 2024 was not smooth, with the team missing out on the playoffs and finishing last in 2025.
Fleming, who has been in charge since 2009, has overseen all five IPL titles for CSK during the Dhoni era. But without that longtime captain-coach combination, cracks began to show.
WHAT IS GOING ON WITH FLEMING-CSK?
CSK’s problems in IPL 2026 were multi-layered and the issues stretched across both strategy and execution.
The bowling unit, especially at the death, was a big problem as runs were run at high economy and did not close out games. In a tournament increasingly defined by power hitting and aggressive intent, CSK’s approach was often a step behind.
There are also questions about the team composition and auction strategy, with the team lacking the kind of explosive options that have become essential in modern T20 cricket.
In addition, the inability to adapt to evolving trends stood out. While other franchises have embraced high-risk, high-reward cricket, CSK have appeared more conservative and are struggling to keep up with the shift.
Fleming’s involvement with other league franchises such as Major League Cricket and SA20 has also come under the spotlight, particularly with limited success, further fueling debate about his methods.
For a team built on consistency and clarity, this phase represents uncharted territory. And as the losses pile up, the spotlight on Fleming grows ever sharper.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
08 Apr 2026 14:50 IST
