Stephen Fleming is out as Chennai Super Kings head coach, and the franchise’s leadership overhaul may be just getting started.
The mutual parting of ways, confirmed by CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan, could trigger a domino effect, with bowling coach Eric Simons potentially next. Batting coach Mike Hussey’s future remains unclear, but the Super Kings are bracing for a major reset.
Why Fleming’s CSK exit happened now
Just last month, Viswanathan insisted Fleming would stay. So what changed? Seven losses in 10 Major League Cricket matches with the Texas Super Kings—finishing dead last—may have sealed his fate. A win in the US might have saved him.
But the writing was on the wall. Discontent had been simmering within CSK’s leadership. Some felt Fleming’s 19-year tenure had run its course, while others pointed to three straight IPL disappointments: fifth in 2024, last in 2025, and eighth this year. “He should step down voluntarily,” a CSK insider had said. “He’s earned enough here—far more than he ever could as a New Zealand player.”
Who’s next for CSK?
Viswanathan insists no decision has been made yet. The search is wide open—Rahul Dravid, Hemang Badani, or even an overseas candidate could be in the mix. “We haven’t decided between an Indian or foreign coach,” he said.
A formal board meeting ratified Fleming’s exit, with all owners involved. Rupa Gurunath, the franchise owner, called him the “heartbeat” of CSK’s coaching unit for nearly two decades. But with the Thala’s backing no longer enough, the hunt for a new era begins.
