NEW DELHI: After a season that has left Chennai Super Kings’ loyal fanbase stunned, head coach Stephen Fleming stands at a crossroads, needing to make important choices for the future of the franchise.
The IPL-2025 campaign has been, by CSK’s own lofty standards, a disaster: just three wins in 12 games, a bottom-of-the-table finish looming and the ‘Dad’s Army’ philosophy — so often their secret weapon — suddenly under siege.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Yet, as Fleming surveys the wreckage, his vision for the franchise’s future remains as nuanced and steadfast as ever, rooted in a belief in experience, but now increasingly open to the promise of youth. Fleming’s coaching style has been defined by calm, clarity and continuity.
The former New Zealand captain is not one for knee-jerk reactions or sweeping changes, even in the face of adversity. This philosophy of trusting seasoned campaigners to deliver under pressure has been the backbone of CSK’s five IPL titles and 12 playoff appearances.
However, the 2025 season has forced Fleming and CSK’s management to confront uncomfortable truths. The collective failure of senior players — Devon Conway, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, R Ashwin, Deepak Hooda and the talismanic MS Dhoni among them — left the team off the pace early in the season.
Injuries and loss of form exposed the limitations of relying solely on the old guard. Fleming, ever pragmatic, acknowledged the need for introspection. “The challenge for us now is to make sure out of this that we do go over everything that we are doing now and have done in the past, to make sure we are keeping up with the philosophies (of the team), but also identify talent for the future,” the New Zealander said.
This season, perhaps more than any other, has compelled Fleming to accelerate CSK’s gradual transition. The introduction of young, swashbuckling batters like Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis, as well as Afghan leggie Noor Ahmad, has not just been a necessity but a glimpse into the franchise’s future.
Fleming’s assessment of the impact the youngsters have had was unequivocal. “They have certainly had an impact, which is positive from a season that has been a challenge. But, we realised early on that we were off pace. So, to be able to introduce these players…. they are definitely in line for the future as we regenerate the team and redevelop or reconfirm our philosophy of how we want to play,” Fleming said, signaling a willingness to evolve without abandoning the core principles.
“It’s one thing to say we want a team full of young players, but you’ve got to find them. So, it’s identifying talent and making sure they fit in. My point has always been a mixture of youth and experience.”
Get IPL 2025 match schedules, squads, points table, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.Hindol Basu is a Principal Correspondent with the The Times of In...
Read MoreHindol Basu is a Principal Correspondent with the The Times of India. Over the years, as a sports journalist, Hindol has covered important events like the 2012 London Olympics, 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2010 Commonwealth Games and the 2011 Cricket World Cup. Hindol has had a diverse profile having worked in all forms of media - TV, Radio, New Media and Print. Besides, being an avid blogger, Hindol plays the guitar, writes poetry and is interested in photography.
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