NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings\u2019 pursuit of a spot in the IPL 2026 playoffs is now balancing on a knife-edge after yet another home loss, with even the standing of veteran coach Stephen Fleming becoming a topic of discussion. CSK\u2019s defeat\u2014by five wickets to Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chepauk on Monday\u2014has left the franchise needing a win against Gujarat Titans in their last league match, while also counting on other results to fall in their favour.<\/p>\n
With the pressure growing, Fleming acknowledged that his role with the team is ultimately under the control of the management, despite his belief in the direction of the side\u2019s rebuilding efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of good things we\u2019ve done. We\u2019ve brought in some new players who we hope will be the next generation for CSK, but I understand we\u2019re judged on results. That\u2019s a management decision, not mine,\u201d Fleming said after the loss.<\/p>\n
Fleming also expressed full confidence in skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, insisting the 29-year-old is still adjusting after stepping in from MS Dhoni. In Fleming\u2019s view, the change in leadership is a major shift for a franchise that has been shaped by Dhoni\u2019s long tenure.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a significant transition\u2014from having one of the best captains in the game running the franchise for such a long time to a new captain. He\u2019s doing a good job. He has immense respect within this group and he\u2019s learning continuously. I have no doubt he\u2019ll be a fine captain for this franchise,\u201d Fleming said.<\/p>\n
However, Gaikwad\u2019s individual numbers have tracked the team\u2019s broader struggles this season. He has managed only two fifties across 13 matches, with a batting average below 30, as CSK have repeatedly failed to seize key moments and build momentum when it mattered most.<\/p>\n
Fleming admitted that CSK began the campaign with rivals ahead, following a major reshaping of the squad. The franchise moved on from Matheesha Pathirana, Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway, while also handing opportunities to younger players such as Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre and Urvil Patel. The arrival of Sanju Samson was part of the reshuffle, and it came after Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran were released.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a challenge. We started poorly and we haven\u2019t been accurate enough. I was genuinely proud of the way we fought back to get back into the mix, but injuries to key players interrupted our momentum,\u201d Fleming said.<\/p>\n
He also rejected the idea that MS Dhoni\u2019s absence from the playing XI has meant the former captain is disconnected from the dressing room. Fleming pointed out that Dhoni has still been present around the team and has continued to influence proceedings despite not featuring in matches.<\/p>\n
\u201cMS has been around a lot this year, which has been really important. He hasn\u2019t played, but he\u2019s still had a big influence on the team,\u201d Fleming added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings\u2019 pursuit of a spot in the IPL 2026 playoffs is now balancing on a knife-edge after yet another home loss,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":10826,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"CSK Playoff Crunch: Fleming Questions After IPL Loss","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"CSK\u2019s playoff hopes hang by a thread after a home loss to SRH. Stephen Fleming faces fresh questions as CSK must beat GT and rely on results.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10827","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n