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Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn said that Chennai Super Kings need a change in their top leadership after a disappointing IPL 2026 campaign.
Steyn said the first person on the selection list should be former New Zealand captain and head coach Stephen Fleming. Steyn suggested that CSK needed a change of pace and a fresh and young approach that could help them restore their old days.
After finishing eighth on the points table in IPL 2026, they have now failed to qualify for the playoffs for three consecutive IPL seasons.
CSK in IPL 2026
The big news for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026 was the absence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. After recovering from calf injury, Dhoni could not play in the initial matches of the team.
In between, it was reported that he was fully fit but his intention was not to disrupt the current team combination. And he ended up getting an injury to his thumb. Overall, he came on the field for just 1 of CSK’s 14 matches.
In terms of their actual performance, the Super Kings faltered at crucial moments and finished eighth in the points table. After starting their first three matches with defeats, CSK managed to regain some momentum in the middle stages.
CSK ended the three-match losing streak by winning 6 of their next 8 matches and gave themselves a real chance of making the playoffs. Ultimately, CSK lost each of their last three matches, and that was the end of their innings.
“Chennai Super Kings need to take a look at their coaching staff” – Steyn
Steyn was speaking on his former teammate AB de Villiers’ YouTube channel and talked about how this could be the right time for the Chennai team to take a fresh look.
Fleming has been the head coach of the Super Kings since 2009. He also presided over all five IPL trophies won by the franchise.
Steyn said, “The Super Kings team needs to look at their coaching staff. I am saying what other people have said before me. You look at CSK, and they have used Fleming in the IPL for so many years. They have used him at Texas Super Kings, used him at Johannesburg Super Kings and in the last few years, they have not been very successful. They have not won anything.”
“Someone new should bring a new idea” – Stan
Steyn spoke to Fleming about the possibility of moving on and what exactly would happen. He said that Fleming could be promoted to the post of director of cricket of the franchise.
“So, is the coaching style, or idea, or philosophy becoming a bit stale. Is it getting old? I don’t think so. I think Fleming is an incredible coach. I think he’s a great people manager. He probably needs a bit of a refresh, and sometimes change is as good as anything. Someone new can come in and make something,” Steyn continued.
“Maybe the flame will change [Stephen Fleming] From coach to moody role [Tom Moody is the Director of Cricket at LSG]. “Bring in a new coach with a different idea, a different mentality and a youthful approach to the way the game is played,” Steyn said.
Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah gets support from South African legends to win Purple Cap in IPL 2027
