{"id":1189,"date":"2026-04-08T11:44:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T11:44:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1win.za.com\/ipl\/flemings-csk-success-linked-to-dhoni-says-ex-india-opener-ramesh"},"modified":"2026-04-08T11:44:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T11:44:58","slug":"flemings-csk-success-linked-to-dhoni-says-ex-india-opener-ramesh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1win.za.com\/ipl\/flemings-csk-success-linked-to-dhoni-says-ex-india-opener-ramesh","title":{"rendered":"Fleming\u2019s CSK Success Linked to Dhoni, Says Ex-India Opener Ramesh"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh has taken a sharp swipe at Chennai Super Kings\u2019 current setup, arguing that head coach Stephen Fleming\u2019s achievements have been inseparable from MS Dhoni\u2019s captaincy. Ramesh believes CSK\u2019s recent slump is linked to a failure to keep pace with the modern, more aggressive style of T20 cricket\u2014and he also questioned Ruturaj Gaikwad\u2019s form after a tough start as skipper in IPL 2026.<\/p>\n<h2>Fleming\u2019s CSK record\u2014Ramesh credits Dhoni<\/h2>\n<p>Ramesh said Fleming\u2019s success with CSK has depended on the partnership with Dhoni, claiming the coach has not been able to replicate the same impact without Dhoni leading the side. Fleming was appointed head coach in 2009, and Ramesh pointed out that CSK\u2019s five IPL title wins have all come during Dhoni\u2019s captaincy reign.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Stephen Fleming was named head coach of CSK in 2009.<\/li>\n<li>Ramesh said CSK\u2019s five IPL titles arrived under MS Dhoni\u2019s captaincy.<\/li>\n<li>He argued Fleming\u2019s \u201csuccess\u201d is tied completely to Dhoni rather than being standalone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>CSK\u2019s early IPL 2026 slide and the \u201cfive steps behind\u201d claim<\/h2>\n<p>Ramesh further claimed CSK have struggled since Gaikwad took over the captaincy in 2024. In his view, that transition has exposed gaps in how the team is responding to the demands of today\u2019s T20 game. Ramesh noted that CSK have lost their opening three matches of IPL 2026 and said Fleming appears to be \u201cfive steps behind\u201d the evolution of cricket.<\/p>\n<p>In an Instagram post, Ramesh argued that Fleming lacks the mindset to adjust to the more aggressive approach that defines the current era. He also suggested that the coaching setup should be evaluated and refreshed in a similar way that players are assessed for fitness and suitability to modern requirements.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ramesh said CSK have struggled since Ruturaj Gaikwad became captain in 2024.<\/li>\n<li>He highlighted CSK\u2019s poor start in IPL 2026, with defeats in their first three matches.<\/li>\n<li>Ramesh claimed Fleming looks \u201cfive steps behind\u201d the modern game.<\/li>\n<li>He suggested the coach must adapt just as players are examined for readiness and fitness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Gaikwad\u2019s form questioned\u2014confidence and leadership development<\/h2>\n<p>Ramesh also took aim at Gaikwad\u2019s batting output, saying the opener\u2019s run has been underwhelming so far. He cited that Gaikwad has made only 41 runs across three matches in IPL 2026, and insisted that meaningful innings are crucial to building both confidence and authority as a leader.<\/p>\n<p>While Ramesh acknowledged that hitting fours and sixes does not require long experience, he stressed that experience still matters when it comes to stopping boundaries\u2014an area he implied CSK\u2019s bowling has struggled with. He urged Gaikwad to start scoring and described the potential for him to turn things around by producing match-winning contributions \u201csingle-handedly.\u201d<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Ramesh said Gaikwad\u2019s form has been disappointing in IPL 2026.<\/li>\n<li>He pointed out that the opener has scored 41 runs in three matches so far.<\/li>\n<li>He argued that crucial knocks can raise Gaikwad\u2019s confidence and support his growth as captain.<\/li>\n<li>Ramesh said CSK\u2019s bowling lacks the ability to rein in batters and stop boundaries.<\/li>\n<li>He said Gaikwad must begin scoring runs to help himself as captain and potentially swing the team\u2019s fortunes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Next fixture: CSK vs Delhi Capitals<\/h2>\n<p>CSK will face Delhi Capitals in their next IPL 2026 match this Saturday, following the early-season setbacks that have drawn criticism from Ramesh.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh has taken a sharp swipe at Chennai Super Kings\u2019 current setup, arguing that head coach Stephen Fleming\u2019s achievements have been&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1187,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2026: Ramesh Slams CSK, Fleming\u2019s Dhoni Link","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"IPL 2026: Ex-India opener Ramesh questions CSK\u2019s slump, claiming Stephen Fleming\u2019s success is tied to MS Dhoni and urging a modern T20 shift.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1189","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>IPL 2026: Ramesh Slams CSK, Fleming\u2019s Dhoni Link<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"IPL 2026: Ex-India opener Ramesh questions CSK\u2019s 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