Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is going through the most painful phase in its Indian Premier League (IPL) history. After finishing bottom of the table in 2025, the five-time champions have now started their IPL 2026 campaign with three consecutive losses.
Their latest defeat – a crushing 43-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium – has pushed the team to the bottom of the IPL 2026 points table. This shocking collapse has put CSK head coach Stephen Fleming under the scanner.
Stephen Fleming is being criticized for CSK’s outdated T20 approach
Fleming is the longest serving coach in IPL history and now demands are being raised to sack him from the post of CSK head coach. Many cricket experts believe that the franchise has not been able to adapt to the rapid changes in T20 cricket and is growing at a slower pace than the rest of the teams.
The last time CSK won the title was in 2023, and since then the game has moved at a different pace, and the team’s repeated failure has forced many to suggest that CSK’s think tank may need fresh ideas. But Michael Vaughan refused to blame the coaching group for the poor performance.
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Michael Vaughan defends Fleming amid IPL 2026 scare
The former England captain has insisted that the issue is not Fleming or the support staff but the lack of form of key players. He told that Sanju Samson has not been able to click at all and Ruturaj Gaikwad is also struggling badly. Because of which Ayush Mhatre is facing a lot of pressure.
He also said that Chennai’s bowling has looked surprisingly normal this season, as there is no element of surprise, no mystery, and no one who can take control during the tough moments.
Michael Vaughan said on Cricbuzz: “I will guarantee you they will send the right message. They are a very experienced coaching unit with all the right skill sets. It won’t be that they are asking players to play different to what the RCB team is playing, the Mumbai Indians are playing, or the Punjab Kings are playing. It just depends on the personnel. They have some players who are not firing. The bowling attack is going to suffer because there is not enough mystery. Is.”
CSK will never sack Fleming: Vaughan
Vaughan reminded everyone that when Chennai Super Kings was winning trophies and making finals consistently, they had a match-winner, a smart spinner and most importantly, the greatest captain to play T20 cricket behind the stumps – MS Dhoni.
The Englishman said that the great Dhoni was not only taking games away behind the stumps but was also winning games with his batting. Despite the struggles, Vaughan doesn’t think CSK will sack Fleming or anyone but the time has come for them to bring new energy into the camp.
Vaughan said, “I don’t think it’s coaching. But there will come a time when Fleming will probably say, ‘I’ve done this for a long time.’ it’s time to move on.’ But I am sure it will not be a situation where he will be sacked. They have quality coaches. But you can’t do anything forever.”
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Vaughan says Fleming-Dhoni partnership is nearing its end
He also defended the “environment” of the team, as he felt the real problem lay in the bowling and captaincy. When RCB put 250 runs on the board, it became clear how much CSK were missing an experienced leader behind the stumps and a strong bowling attack.
Vaughan said that Dhoni and Fleming have made CSK an iconic IPL brand, but their partnership will definitely end at any stage. He believes that Chennai would never ask Fleming to leave, and it would be his personal call to resign after almost two decades of service.
He signed off by saying, “I wouldn’t blame the coaching. But all fairy-tale love stories eventually end. And there will be a time. And whether it’s this year, next year, or in a few years, the combination of Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni may not last forever. But it won’t be because Stephen is sacked. It will be because he leaves, you know what? I’ve done this for almost 20 years. Now the time has come.” “Go ahead and fire Stephen.”