“I don’t know how much Stephen Fleming is contributing as coach” – Former India cricketer calls for change in CSK’s setup after IPL 2026 

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has questioned Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming’s role in the setup without MS Dhoni. The former New Zealand batter has served in the role for close to two decades now, but has faced scrutiny in recent times amid the franchise’s glaring dip.

Stephen Fleming shared a stellar working chemistry with MS Dhoni during his illustrious reign as captain, which brought the team five titles. However, since stepping down from the role after the success in IPL 2023, CSK are yet to qualify for the playoffs.

MS Dhoni’s absence in terms of his experience and input played a part as CSK finished seventh in the points table with just six wins in the season. The legendary wicket-keeper faced injuries to his calf and thumb, as his future as a player remains uncertain as ever.

Sanjay Manjrekar feels that it is high time that CSK move on, and their downfall is hardly surprising.

“There are certain things that you have got to do as the right thing. It’s time that they did this. One of the things you have got to do, is change things around. It’s not like the Titans, where they have had one bad year, CSK have been quite for a number of years now. The reasons are very obvious. It’s not like people are shocked that CSK have become this team or have not made it to the playoffs. It is very easy to see what has changed,” Sanjay Manjrekar said on Sportstar.

The former India batter believes that one of the major decisions that the franchise has to take is to relieve Ruturaj Gaikwad of the captaincy duties.

“I think the leadership can easily go to Sanju Samson, who’s done it before. Just set Ruturaj Gaikwad free and make him the batter that he used to be. I don’t know how much Stephen Fleming is contributing as coach, because with Dhoni, everything was in his domain, and Fleming was a great guy to have around. He is a guy who knows his cricket, he is not just there to cosmetic reasons. But it is time to shake up a few things,” he added.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has a win percentage of only 42.42 since taking over as CSK captain in IPL 2024. The pressure of captaincy has taken a toll on his batting as well, since he had an ordinary IPL 2026 campaign with 337 runs in 14 matches at an average of 28.08, and just two fifties.

“This current version, I am not liking so much” – Sanjay Manjrekar on MS Dhoni’s final years as a cricketer amid IPL 2026 absence for CSK

The majority of the CSK’s IPL 2026 campaign was devoted to MS Dhoni’s availability after his pre-season injury and the on-and-off rumours about his return. The legendary player ultimately did not make a single appearance in the season, and was only part of the final home game of the season, where he thanked the fans during the lap of honor.

“When I have to rave about MS Dhoni, this current version, I am not liking so much, so I will go back and rave about him. So it is important that people move on. People who hold on to past memories, past glories, are struggling, you can see that with Mumbai Indians, where a lot of players beyond their prime, are still being given important positions. The same has happened with CSK, with the way they have handled MS for the last 3 years,” he concluded.

CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, after the league phase, provided a rather ambigious update regarding the veteran’s future and his potential presence in the IPL 2027 campaign.