Chennai Super Kings part ways with head coach Stephen Fleming

By Rohan Gupta — 13 July 2026 — 3 min read

End of an Era for Chennai Super Kings

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have announced their separation from head coach Stephen Fleming, concluding a long-standing association with the former New Zealand captain. This decision marks the end of a significant chapter for the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, with Fleming having been involved with the team for nearly two decades.

Rupa Gurunath, Director of Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL) and daughter of N Srinivasan, acknowledged Fleming’s profound impact. She stated that Fleming has been central to the coaching unit for almost the entire journey of the franchise, helping to shape its identity, vision, and pursuit of excellence for nearly two decades. Gurunath expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the Super Kings franchise for his unwavering commitment, passion, and leadership, affirming that he will always remain an integral part of the team’s legacy.

Fleming himself reflected on his time with the team, noting that eighteen years is a lifetime in sport. He expressed gratitude for his tenure with Chennai Super Kings, calling it the privilege of his coaching career and expressing pride in their collective achievements. He highlighted the unforgettable victories, difficult moments overcome, and memories built, stating that CSK will always be close to his heart and he will continue to support the team.

Kashi Viswanathan, Managing Director of Chennai Super Kings, emphasized Fleming’s role in defining not only how CSK played but also in building a culture rooted in consistency and humility. Viswanathan lauded Fleming’s ability to understand people and bring out the best in individuals across the team as one of his greatest strengths, noting his influence extended beyond the boundary.

Fleming’s Legacy and Recent Challenges

Fleming’s journey with CSK began in the inaugural IPL season as a player in 2008, before he transitioned to head coach in 2009. Under his guidance, CSK achieved considerable success, securing 5 IPL trophies and 2 Champions League Twenty20 tournaments. The franchise also reached the playoffs a record 12 times and participated in 10 IPL finals.

During CSK‘s two-year suspension in 2016 and 2017, Fleming coached Rising Pune Supergiant, leading the team to the 2017 final. His coaching tenure with CSK saw the team win a total of six titles across various competitions.

However, recent seasons have presented challenges for the franchise. After narrowly missing the playoffs in 2024, CSK finished 10th and eighth in the subsequent two seasons, experiencing back-to-back last-place finishes in the IPL 2025 and 2026. The team also faced difficulties in other leagues where Fleming was in charge. For instance, Joburg Super Kings reached the SA20 playoffs in each of the last three seasons but did not make a final, while Texas Super Kings fell short of the title clash in Major League Cricket (MLC).

In the ongoing season, the Texas Super Kings finished last with three wins and seven defeats from 10 matches. The franchise’s top brass is currently in Dallas, reviewing past seasons and planning for the future, with significant decisions expected on trades, coaching staff, and potentially captaincy.

Potential Coaching Changes

As Chennai Super Kings reviews its cricket operations, former India batter Hemang Badani has emerged as a contender to join the coaching set-up. Badani served as the head coach for Delhi Capitals (DC) for the last two seasons. Under his leadership, DC finished fifth and sixth in the 2025 and 2026 seasons, respectively, narrowly missing a playoff spot in his first season.

Discussions regarding all cricketing matters are ongoing, and a major decision concerning the entire coaching staff could be made in the coming weeks. The franchise aims to restore its past glory following recent disappointing performances.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter