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\u2019s 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\u2019s coaching approach is still delivering.<\/p>\n
Speaking before CSK\u2019s 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\u2019s better years. His answer was pointed: \u201cIt\u2019s actually purely the players. For me, it just gives us another year of coaching. And it\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The New Zealand great also emphasised how fortunate he has been to work alongside elite leadership inside the dressing room. \u201cI\u2019ve worked with one of the greatest captains of all time, and I\u2019ve been incredibly lucky to do that as a coach. So, look, it\u2019s not lost on me, and I\u2019m proud of the results, but it\u2019s not something that I crave or desire to get accolades for.\u201d<\/p>\n
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. \u201cCriticism is fair when you don\u2019t do well. That\u2019s part of the position. Look, I\u2019m coaching throughout the year and two other competitions, and I\u2019m doing auctions across a lot of players. So it\u2019s not that I just turn off and then come to the IPL without an idea of where the game is going. In fact, it\u2019s the other way.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that his off-season work is heavily focused on understanding T20 trends and player development across the world. \u201cI 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,\u201d 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. \u201cOne of the challenges is the number of players we\u2019ve 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\u2019re 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fleming suggested that the team is close even if the outcomes have not always reflected that progress. \u201cAnd we haven\u2019t been too far off. We got Tim David the last game. We weren\u2019t as accurate with the ball towards the end, but we still managed 210. So, look, it\u2019s a really good sign that we\u2019re working very hard and we\u2019re well aware\u2014 I\u2019m 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for CSK\u2019s next assignment against DC, Fleming remained cautious about Dewald Brevis\u2019s availability, but he did not hold back when assessing the South African teenager\u2019s value. \u201cFor a young guy, he brings experience, but he\u2019s incredibly talented,\u201d 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. \u201cI 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\u2019m sure there was a lot of advice during that time, but he\u2019s now come out of that cycle with a real clarity as to the way he wants to play. It\u2019s aggressive, it\u2019s very skillful and it\u2019s becoming consistent.\u201d<\/p>\n
With Brevis missing CSK\u2019s campaign since the start of the season, Fleming said his presence could provide a timely boost if he is fit. \u201cSo, we value his inputs really highly. He\u2019s been a big miss since the start of the season. So, if he is right for this game, he\u2019ll be a nice addition.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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\u2019s…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1771,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Stephen Fleming Defends CSK Coaching Credit in IPL News","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Stephen Fleming dismisses claims CSK\u2019s coaching team isn\u2019t getting enough credit, defending his role as CSK eyes a strong IPL resurgence.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1772","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n