Chennai Super Kings The head coach Stephen Fleming has brushed aside suggestions that he has not received enough credit for the franchise’s success, choosing instead to highlight the contributions of the players and long-serving captain. MS Dhoni For franchise success.Fleming, who has been at the helm since 2009 after featuring as a player in the inaugural match. IPL season, the franchise has overseen one of the most successful tours in cricket. Under his guidance, CSK won five IPL titles and two Champions League trophies. However, after a strong performance in IPL 2026, his role has come under scrutiny. Still looking for their first win, Fleming remained at the ground, shrugging off criticism ahead of CSK’s fourth match of the season.
“It’s purely the players,” Fleming said ahead of CSK’s fourth clash of the IPL 2026 season, in pursuit of their first win.He further acknowledged Dhoni’s influence, calling himself lucky to have worked with one of the greatest leaders of the game.“For me, it gives us another year of coaching. And that’s always the case. Players do that. Coaching off the field is really important, but performance on the field wins titles. And yes, we play into the fitness of the players, the performance of the players, the mental state of the players, but ultimately coaches are judged by having a great captain. All the time, and I’ve been incredibly fortunate to do that as a coach. So, look, it’s not lost on me, and I’m proud of the results, but it’s not something I aspire to or want to get praise for,” he added. “Criticism is fair”: Fleming answers questions about T20 approachFleming also rejected claims that his coaching methods in T20 cricket were outdated. Admitting that results have not suited CSK recently, he stressed his continued involvement in global leagues. Currently associated with the Super Kings franchises in several tournaments, Fleming said his year-round coaching and player analysis keeps him in touch with the evolving nature of T20 cricket.“Criticism is fair when you don’t do well – it’s part of the job, it’s part of the position. Look, I’ve been coaching year-round and two other competitions, and I’ve been auctioning off a lot of players. So it’s not like I just shut down and come into the IPL without knowing where the game is going. In fact, it’s the other way around.” He admitted.He pointed out that CSK’s ongoing transition phase, with many new players in the squad, requires time to settle in, which other teams cannot deal with to such an extent.“We just need a little bit of confidence and proof, which comes from winning. We haven’t gone far.”Referring to his previous outing, Fleming noted that despite posting a strong total of 210, hanging with the ball at the death cost him the game.“We weren’t very accurate with the ball towards the end, but we still managed 210. So look, it’s a really good sign that we’re working very hard and we know very well, I know very well, and the criticism is fair. So, we just have to work hard and find a way forward. But I feel in touch with the game,” Fleming saidFleming praised Dewald Brews, keeping the selection call openFleming also spoke highly of young South African talent Devald Brews, although he remained non-committal about his availability for the upcoming match against Delhi Capitals.“I think at such a young age he showed his game, obviously he got opportunities early on and then he stopped playing because he was figuring out how he wanted to play. I’m sure there was a lot of advice during that time, but he’s gotten out of that cycle now of how he wants to play. It’s aggressive, it really plays into his ability and ability. He’s been a big miss since the start of the season. So, if he is right for the game, he will be a good addition,” he concluded.
