Fleming Exit May Trigger Major CSK Shake-Up

Stephen Fleming’s dismissal as the Chennai Super Kings’ head coach might not be the end of the story; more adjustments might be made. Fleming’s departure, which the CSK management characterised as a consensual parting of ways, might be the first of several. If the next person mentioned is bowling coach Eric Simons, it won’t be shocking. Mike Hussey, the batting coach, is yet unknown, but it looks like the Super Kings will undergo a significant change.

The CEO of CSK wasn’t exactly lying when he informed this publication last month that Fleming would remain next year. What has changed, then? This season’s Major League Cricket (MLC) saw the Texas Super Kings end at the bottom of the standings after seven losses in ten games, which might have been the tipping point for Fleming. If the squad had won in the US, he would still be in his current position.

The decision had been brewing for a while, despite the fact that it seemed abrupt. Within the CSK leadership group, there has long been a simmering undercurrent of discontent. Initially, there was a perception that the New Zealander had been with the team for too long and that a change was required for advancement.

Second, the team’s results over the previous three IPL seasons were lacklustre: fifth in 2024, last (10th) in 2025, and eighth this year.An insider from CSK told this website that he ought to resign freely. “He has earned enough with the franchise – much more than he could have earned as a New Zealand player or in any other role within the game.”

However, MS Dhoni, the team’s all-powerful Thala, was thought to support Fleming.

Viswanathan told Cricbuzz from the US, “We had an honest discussion and decided that we should part ways,” despite the fact that he was supposed to stay for at least a year. According to the CSK CEO, the decision was made by the franchise’s executive group, which included all of the owners.

He claims that a few days earlier, the decision was formally adopted at a board meeting.For practically the whole history of this team, Stephen Fleming has been the beating heart of our coaching staff. He has shaped our identity, vision, and pursuit of greatness for almost 20 years,” owner Rupa Gurunath stated.

The decision might have been heavily influenced by her. The franchise’s father, N Srinivasan, would have been told of the choice even though he hasn’t been actively connected with the team lately.

Who then followed Fleming? According to Viswanathan, no decision has been made and everyone is eligible for the position. He stated that any possible candidate, including Rahul Dravid and Hemang Badani, might be in the race without mentioning any specific names.

“We have not decided whether we will go with an Indian or an overseas coach,” the CEO of CSK told reporters. Only next month is it anticipated that he will return to India, thus it is safe to presume that a decision will not be made before then.