Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ends its 18-year-long tenure with Stephen Fleming. CSK and Fleming parted ways mutually, bringing an end to one of the most successful partnerships in the history of the Indian Premier League.
Fleming joined CSK as a player in the inaugural season of the IPL and later transitioned to a head coach in 2009. Fleming guided CSK to five IPL titles as well as two Champions League Twenty20 titles. His record as a head coach has been so impressive that CSK has entered the playoffs a record 12 times, while playing 10 IPL finals.
Stephen Fleming bids farewell to CSK after 18 years
CSK’s owner Rupa Gurunath said, “Stephen Fleming has been the heartbeat of our coaching unit for almost the entire journey of this franchise. For nearly two decades, he has helped shape our identity, vision, and pursuit of excellence.”
“On behalf of everyone at the Super Kings franchise, we extend our deepest gratitude for his unwavering commitment, passion, and leadership. While our journey together on the field comes to a close, he will always remain an integral part of the team’s legacy.”
Stephen Fleming said eighteen years is a lifetime in sport, and that he was leaving with nothing but gratitude, calling his time with Chennai Super Kings the privilege of his coaching career and adding that he was proud of everything the team had achieved together. “Eighteen years is a lifetime in sport, and I leave with nothing but gratitude. My time with Chennai Super Kings has been the privilege of my coaching career. I am proud of everything we have achieved.”
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“Together, we celebrated unforgettable victories, overcame difficult moments, and built memories that will stay with me forever. CSK will always be close to my heart, and I will be cheering the team on for years to come.”
CSK have missed the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, finishing fifth in 2024, bottom of the table in 10th place in 2025, and eighth in 2026. Their last title came back in 2023, following that CSK has been going through a transition phase with the inclusion of several young players. While players like Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran were traded to Rajasthan Royals, MS Dhoni didn’t play a single IPL 2026 clash due to injury.
Stephen Fleming also coached the Super Kings franchises in both SA20 and Major League Cricket. Under his guidance, the Joburg Super Kings qualified for the SA20 playoffs in each of the tournament’s first four seasons, though they fell short of reaching the final every time. The Texas Super Kings enjoyed similar consistency early on, making the playoffs in the first three MLC campaigns without advancing to the title match. Their form saw a dip in 2026, as they finished last in the standings and missed the postseason altogether, bringing Fleming’s tenure with the Super Kings network to a disappointing close.
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CSK management reviews team and coaching staff
Over the last three seasons, CSK’s performances have steadily declined, with the team missing the playoffs each year. Many observers have attributed the slump to the franchise’s continued faith in an aging core and its long-standing dependence on MS Dhoni’s presence and influence.
Management now appears to be seriously reviewing the performance of their players lately. As per Times of India some of the senior CSK management members are traveling to Dallas for assessing the poor performance and looking out future course of action for the franchise. Review of performance may also result in making some change in the coaching staff too. As per the report, Rupa Gurunath, daughter of N. Srinivasan and Director of Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited, is playing a pivotal role in the decision-making process.
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