“What he’s doing?” Sanjay Manjrekar tears apart CSK head coach Stephen Fleming a – Sanjay Manjrekar Calls for Stephen Fleming’s Exit Following CSK’s IPL 2026 Struggles

A Legacy Under Scrutiny

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have long been considered the gold standard of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, a turbulent 2026 season has left the franchise at a crossroads, with former India batter and cricket analyst Sanjay Manjrekar leading the conversation on the need for a major organizational shake-up. Manjrekar has explicitly called for the franchise to move on from long-time head coach Stephen Fleming, citing a consistent decline in the team’s performance.

Fleming’s tenure with CSK is historic. Having joined the franchise during its inception—first as a player and subsequently as the head coach—he has been the architect behind five IPL trophies and two Champions League T20 titles. Despite this illustrious history, the current reality suggests that the magic may have faded.

The Decline: A Three-Year Struggle

The numbers from the 2026 season paint a grim picture. CSK finished eighth in the 10-team table, managing only six victories across 14 matches. The team’s campaign was characterized by inconsistency, highlighted by a season-opening slump, a brief glimmer of hope with six wins in eight matches, and a final collapse that mirrored their early struggles. This failure to qualify for the playoffs marks the third consecutive season that the Yellow Army has missed out on the knockout stages, raising serious concerns about the team’s direction under captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and head coach Stephen Fleming.

Manjrekar’s Critique of Coaching Efficiency

In an interview with Sportstar, Manjrekar did not mince words regarding the current state of affairs at Chennai. He argued that the team’s decline was predictable rather than shocking, suggesting that the franchise has become stagnant.

“There are certain things that you have to do as the right thing. It’s time that they did this. One of the things you have to do is change things around. 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,” Manjrekar stated.

The critique extended to Fleming’s tactical contributions. Manjrekar questioned the actual impact of the head coach in the post-MS Dhoni era. He noted that while Fleming was an invaluable asset when Dhoni was actively running the domain, his current influence remains under the microscope. “I don’t know how much Stephen Fleming is contributing as coach, because with Dhoni, everything was in his domain, and Fleming was a great guy to have around. He is a guy who knows his cricket; he is not just there for cosmetic reasons. But it is time to shake up a few things,” he added.

Calls for Leadership Changes

The criticism was not limited to the coaching staff. Manjrekar suggested that the franchise needs to re-evaluate its leadership structure entirely to allow Ruturaj Gaikwad to flourish. He proposed a bold move: bringing in Sanju Samson to take over the captaincy duties.

“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 proposed. By relieving Gaikwad of the captaincy pressure, he believes the franchise could see a return to form for their primary batter.

The MS Dhoni Factor

Furthermore, Manjrekar addressed the delicate issue of MS Dhoni’s role within the organization. He expressed reservations about the franchise continuing to rely on the former captain, even in non-playing capacities, arguing that it complicates the team’s transition into a new era. According to Manjrekar, the franchise’s reliance on past icons, despite their current output levels, has hindered the necessary evolution required to compete in the modern, fast-paced IPL environment.

As the dust settles on another underwhelming season, the Chennai Super Kings management faces a tough decision. With public pressure mounting and respected voices in the game calling for a complete overhaul, the upcoming off-season will likely be one of the most significant in the franchise’s history.