Fleming exit may lead to wider CSK shake-up

The removal of Stephen Fleming as head coach of Chennai Super Kings may not be an end in itself - more changes could follow. Fleming's exit - what the CSK management described as a mutual parting of ways - could be the first of many. It will not come as a surprise if bowling coach Eric Simons' name is next. There is no information yet on batting coach Mike Hussey, but the Super Kings appear headed for a major shake-up.

Kasi Viswanathan had told this website only last month that Fleming would continue next year, and the CSK CEO was not exactly being dishonest there. So what has changed since? Seven defeats in 10 matches in this season's Major League Cricket (MLC), where the Texas Super Kings finished at the bottom of the table, may well have proved to be the final straw for Fleming. He would have saved his position if the team had won in the US.

While the decision may have appeared sudden, it had been brewing for some time. An undercurrent of discontent had been simmering within the CSK leadership group for some time. First, there was a feeling that the New Zealander had been with the franchise for too long and that a change was necessary for progress. Second, the team's performances over the last three IPL seasons had been underwhelming - fifth in 2024, last (10th) in 2025 and eighth this year.

"He should voluntarily step down," a CSK insider had told this website. "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." The perception, however, was that Fleming enjoyed the backing of MS Dhoni, the all-powerful Thala of the side. He was expected to continue for at least another year.

"We had an honest discussion and decided that we should part ways," Viswanathan told Cricketlineguruji from the US. The CSK CEO said it was a collective decision taken by the franchise's leadership group, with all the owners involved. According to him, a board meeting was held a couple of days ago, where the decision was formally ratified.

"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," Rupa Gurunath, owner, said. She may have had a big say in the decision. N Srinivasan, the patriarch of the franchise, may not have been actively involved with the team in recent times, but he would have been informed about the decision.

So, who after Fleming? Viswanathan says no decision has been taken and that the position is open to everyone. He did not name names, but said every potential contender - from Rahul Dravid to Hemang Badani - could be in the fray. "We have not decided whether we will go with an Indian or an overseas coach," the CSK CEO said. He is expected to return to India only next month, and it would be safe to assume that a decision is unlikely before then.