“What he’s doing?” Sanjay Manjrekar tears apart CSK head coach Stephen Fleming a – Sanjay Manjrekar Calls for Stephen Fleming’s Exit After CSK’s IPL 2026 Failure
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A Legacy Under Scrutiny
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a franchise long synonymous with dominance and tactical brilliance in the Indian Premier League, finds itself at a difficult crossroads. After a dismal 2026 campaign that saw the team finish eighth in a ten-team table, the internal structure of the organization is facing intense public scrutiny. Leading the critique is former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar, who believes the time has come for the franchise to part ways with long-standing head coach Stephen Fleming.
Fleming has been an integral part of the Chennai ecosystem since the inception of the IPL. Initially joining as a player in the inaugural season, he transitioned into the head coach role, where he oversaw an era of unprecedented success, including five IPL titles and two Champions League T20 trophies. However, Manjrekar argues that history, while impressive, should not shield a coach from accountability in the face of modern underperformance.
The Decline of a Powerhouse
The numbers from the 2026 season paint a sobering picture for the Yellow Army. With only six wins in 14 matches, the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side struggled with consistency from the very start. The season was characterized by erratic form, featuring a promising mid-season stretch of six wins in eight matches, which was ultimately bookended by two separate three-match losing streaks.
This marks the third consecutive season that Chennai Super Kings have failed to qualify for the IPL playoffs. The timing of this slump coincides with Ruturaj Gaikwad’s tenure as full-time captain. As the drought extends, the pressure on both the leadership group and the coaching staff has reached a boiling point, with many experts and fans calling for significant personnel changes.
Manjrekar’s Bold Assessment
In a candid interview, Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted that the team’s current predicament is not a sudden anomaly but the result of deeper, systemic issues. He emphasized that the decline was predictable, noting, “It’s not like the Titans, where they have had one bad year; CSK have been quiet for some years now. The reasons are very obvious. It is very easy to see what has changed.”
Manjrekar’s critique goes beyond mere results. He has raised questions about the tactical efficiency of Stephen Fleming, specifically asking what the coach is currently contributing to the side. Manjrekar posited that during the MS Dhoni era, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter held immense influence over team operations, making Fleming a steady hand to have around. However, he questions whether that dynamic remains effective today.
Proposed Structural Changes
Beyond the coaching staff, Manjrekar offered a radical suggestion for the franchise’s leadership. He believes the captaincy burden should be shifted, proposing that Sanju Samson be brought in to take the helm. According to Manjrekar, such a move would serve a dual purpose: providing the team with a fresh tactical approach and allowing Ruturaj Gaikwad to focus entirely on his batting.
“I think the leadership can easily go to Sanju Samson, who’s done it before. Just set Ruturaj Gaikwad free and make him the batter that he used to be,” Manjrekar stated. He remains adamant that for the sake of the team’s future, a “shake up” is necessary, implying that the current status quo is doing more harm than good.
The MS Dhoni Factor
The critique did not stop at the coaching and captaincy. Manjrekar also addressed the role of MS Dhoni within the franchise, suggesting that the team’s handling of the veteran star has been questionable. He argued that keeping Dhoni in an important role despite being clearly past his prime has not benefited the team’s long-term trajectory.
As the dust settles on another failed season, the Chennai Super Kings hierarchy faces the most difficult decision in their history. With the call for change growing louder, the franchise must weigh the sentiment of their glorious past against the undeniable reality of their present struggles. Whether they choose to overhaul the leadership or stick with the established guard remains to be seen, but the pressure to deliver results in the coming seasons has never been higher.
