“What he’s doing?” Sanjay Manjrekar tears apart CSK head coach Stephen Fleming a – Sanjay Manjrekar Calls for Change: Should Stephen Fleming Leave CSK?

A Legacy Under Scrutiny

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a franchise long synonymous with tactical brilliance and consistent success, finds itself at a crossroads. Following a disappointing eighth-place finish in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), the calls for a structural overhaul have reached a crescendo. Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar has emerged as a vocal critic of the current setup, specifically targeting the longevity of head coach Stephen Fleming’s tenure.

Fleming’s history with the franchise is undoubtedly storied. Having been part of the setup since its inception—first as a player and subsequently as the head coach—he has presided over all five of the team’s IPL title victories and two Champions League T20 trophies. However, Manjrekar argues that the weight of past achievements should not shield the leadership from current realities.

The Decline: Three Years of Missed Playoffs

The numbers behind the recent criticism are stark. In the 2026 season, CSK managed only six wins from their 14 matches. The team’s performance was characterized by inconsistency: a mid-season surge of six wins in eight games was effectively neutralized by two separate streaks of three consecutive losses at the start and end of their campaign.

This marks the third consecutive year that the Chennai Super Kings have failed to qualify for the IPL playoffs. This period of stagnation coincides with Ruturaj Gaikwad’s tenure as the full-time captain, leading to intensified scrutiny on both the coaching staff and the team’s leadership dynamics.

Manjrekar’s Take on the Necessary Reset

In a recent discussion, Manjrekar emphasized that a franchise of CSK’s caliber must be willing to make difficult decisions to reverse their downward trajectory. “There are certain things that you have to do as the right thing. It’s time that they did this,” Manjrekar stated. He contrasted CSK’s sustained decline with other franchises that may suffer a singular bad year, suggesting that the reasons for Chennai’s current predicament are far from hidden.

The critique extended beyond just the team’s record. Manjrekar questioned the actual impact of Stephen Fleming in his current capacity. While acknowledging Fleming’s cricket acumen and his historic partnership with MS Dhoni, Manjrekar pondered whether the coach is still contributing effectively in a tactical sense, noting that for years, many decisions fell under Dhoni’s domain.

Proposed Leadership Shake-up

Perhaps the most provocative suggestion from Manjrekar concerns the team’s captaincy. He proposed that the franchise should consider handing the leadership reins to Sanju Samson. The logic, according to Manjrekar, is twofold: it brings in a leader with proven experience, and it potentially liberates Ruturaj Gaikwad from the pressures of captaincy, allowing him to focus entirely on his role as a premier batter.

“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 explained. Furthermore, he expressed reservations regarding the franchise’s reliance on MS Dhoni in an active role, suggesting that keeping the legend involved in an important capacity despite his advancing years might not be serving the best interests of the team’s future development.

The Path Forward for CSK

Whether the CSK management will heed these suggestions remains to be seen. The franchise has historically been known for its loyalty and resistance to reactionary changes. However, as fans grow increasingly impatient and the team continues to slip away from its glory days, the pressure on Stephen Fleming and the core leadership group to justify their positions has never been higher.

The 2026 season will likely be remembered as a tipping point. For a team that once defined the gold standard of IPL excellence, the coming months will be critical in determining whether they choose to retain their established culture or embrace a radical, perhaps necessary, evolution.