Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the most successful and consistently performing team of the Indian Premier League (IPL), is today going through the most difficult phase in its history. CSK has not yet been able to open its winning account in IPL 2026. After which questions are being raised not only on the performance of the players but also on the team management and especially head coach Stephen Fleming. CSK has played a total of 17 matches so far in the last season and this season. In which the team has won only 4 matches and faced defeat in 13 matches.

Stephen Fleming is considered to be the most successful and longest serving coach of IPL. Under whose coaching, CSK won titles many times but in the last two seasons, the team’s performance was not at the level that was expected from this franchise. In such a situation, it is natural to ask the question, has the time for change come now?

Stephen Fleming’s tenure

Stephen Fleming played for CSK in IPL 2008, in which he scored 196 runs in 10 matches. He is working as the head coach of CSK since IPL 2009. There have been many changes in the coaching staff of the team but there has been no change in the position of the head coach. However, under Fleming’s leadership, CSK has won five IPL titles and two Champions League T20 titles.

CSK coaching staff

• Stephen Fleming: head coach


• Michael Hussey: batting coach


• Eric Simmons: bowling coach


• Rajeev Kumar:assistant batting coach


• Sridharan Sriram: assistant bowling coach


• James Foster: fielding coach

Where is Fleming missing?

Stephen Fleming and the management’s trust in the core team has always been their strength, but this strength now seems to be turning into a weakness. Even after the 2026 auction, the team does not seem to have that ‘X-factor’ which was once the identity of CSK. Despite including big players like Sanju Samson in the team, Fleming is not able to get the best performance from him which was expected. The team’s slow play in the powerplay and scattering of bowling in the death overs directly raises questions on the planning of the coaching staff.

CSK upcoming matches

• 11 April 2026: Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals (MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai)


• 14 April 2026: Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders (MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai)


• 18 April 2026: Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad)


• 23 April 2026: Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians (Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai)


• 26 April 2026: Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titans (Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad)


• 2 May 2026: Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians (MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai)


• 5 मई 2026: Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals (Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi)


• 10 May 2026: Chennai Super Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants (MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai)


• 15 May 2026: Chennai Super Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants (Ekana Stadium, Lucknow)


• 18 May 2026: Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai)


• 21 मई 2026: Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titans (MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai)