Former opener and club legend Stephen Fleming has stepped down as head coach of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after guiding the team to five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles in his 18 years in charge, the franchise confirmed on Monday. The decision to part ways was mutual, it added.
"The decision was reached with respect and gratitude, following a series of open and honest discussions between Fleming and the Super Kings management," the team said in a statement.
New Zealand’s iconic captain Fleming joined Chennai as a player in the inaugural edition of the IPL before taking over as head coach ahead of the 2009 season. Chennai won their last IPL title in 2023 and did not make the play-offs in the last three editions of the tournament. Fleming has struggled to explain the team's slide and this year, the mystery surrounding MS Dhoni's injury became a major talking point and a source of disruption.
"From the earliest days of this journey, Fleming helped define not just how we played, but what we wanted to be as a franchise," CSK managing director KS Viswanathan said.
"He built a culture rooted in consistency, humility and putting the team first. His ability to understand people and bring out the best from individuals across the team has been one of his greatest strengths." CSK also won two Champions League T20 titles under Fleming, who headed one of the most consistent coaching set-ups in the IPL.
During the franchise's two-year suspension in 2016 and 2017, he coached Rising Pune Supergiant, which was also led by MSD.
"Eighteen years is a lifetime in sport and I leave with nothing but gratitude," Fleming said. "My time with Chennai Super Kings has been the privilege of my coaching career. I am proud of everything we have achieved... CSK will always be close to my heart and I will be cheering the team on for years to come."
CSK are looking for a complete rejig to return to the top of the league. The arrival of Sanju Samson last season from Rajasthan Royals means not just the coaching staff but even the captaincy could change hands.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that former India batter Hemang Badani is a frontrunner to join the team's coaching set-up. Delhi Capitals finished fifth and sixth under Badani in the 2025 and 2026 seasons, respectively, the reports pointed out.
With question marks around Dhoni's future as a player, many fans are speculating on the possibility of "Thala" taking over from his former teammate.
