Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has rejected the idea that he and the coaching staff are not getting enough recognition for the franchise’s long-running success. Fleming, who represented CSK during the inaugural IPL in 2008, moved into the head-coach role in the following season and has remained in charge since then. Under his leadership, CSK have lifted five IPL titles and two Champions League trophies. Yet, after a stretch of underwhelming performances, parts of the cricket public have questioned whether Fleming’s coaching approach is still delivering.
Speaking before CSK’s fourth match of the IPL 2026 season as they chase their first win, Fleming responded when asked whether he feels he has received adequate praise during CSK’s better years. His answer was pointed: “It’s actually purely the players. For me, it just gives us another year of coaching. And it’s always been the case. The players do it. The coaching off the field is really important, but the performances on the field win titles. And, yes, we play a part in the fitness of players, the performance of players, the mental state of players, but ultimately the coaches are judged on the players.”
The New Zealand great also emphasised how fortunate he has been to work alongside elite leadership inside the dressing room. “I’ve worked with one of the greatest captains of all time, and I’ve been incredibly lucky 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 that I crave or desire to get accolades for.”
Fleming then pushed back on the suggestion that his T20 coaching methods have gone stale. While he acknowledged that criticism is inevitable when results do not match expectations, he argued that his involvement in multiple competitions keeps him plugged into the evolving nature of the format. “Criticism is fair when you don’t do well. That’s part of the position. Look, I’m coaching throughout the year and two other competitions, and I’m doing auctions across a lot of players. So it’s not that I just turn off and then come to the IPL without an idea of where the game is going. In fact, it’s the other way.”
He added that his off-season work is heavily focused on understanding T20 trends and player development across the world. “I probably never spent more time studying T20 cricket around players around the world, just to service the other teams as well, which feeds into the IPL,” Fleming said. One of the practical challenges, he noted, is squad continuity: with CSK making changes to personnel, there is inevitably a period of adjustment compared to teams that have stayed together for longer. “One of the challenges is the number of players we’ve changed in the squad means there is a little bit of a settling process where other teams have been together for a season. We understand that, so we’re trying to accelerate that process. And we just need a little bit of confidence and a bit of evidence, and that comes from getting across the line.”
Fleming suggested that the team is close even if the outcomes have not always reflected that progress. “And we haven’t been too far off. We got Tim David the last game. We weren’t as 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’re well aware— I’m well aware, and the criticism is appropriate. So, we just have to work harder and find a way forward. But I do feel in touch with the game.”
As for CSK’s next assignment against DC, Fleming remained cautious about Dewald Brevis’s availability, but he did not hold back when assessing the South African teenager’s value. “For a young guy, he brings experience, but he’s incredibly talented,” Fleming said. He explained that Brevis had to navigate a period of figuring out how he wanted to play, after earlier opportunities, before settling into a clearer role. “I think to have worked out his game at such a young age, he obviously got opportunities early and then he dropped off as he was working out how he wanted to play. I’m sure there was a lot of advice during that time, but he’s now come out of that cycle with a real clarity as to the way he wants to play. It’s aggressive, it’s very skillful and it’s becoming consistent.”
With Brevis missing CSK’s campaign since the start of the season, Fleming said his presence could provide a timely boost if he is fit. “So, we value his inputs really highly. He’s been a big miss since the start of the season. So, if he is right for this game, he’ll be a nice addition.”
