'Not something I crave' - Fleming on lack of credit for CSK's success

Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming dismissed suggestions that he doesn't receive enough credit for his team's success in the past. Fleming, who played for CSK in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008, took over as head coach the very next season and has held on to his position ever since. Under the former New Zealand captain, CSK have won five IPL titles and two Champions League titles as well.

Fleming's position as the head coach has faced scrutiny from certain sections for a while following CSK's poor recent results. However, when asked if he has received enough plaudits during the good times, Fleming chose to credit the players and MS Dhoni instead. "It's actually purely the players," Fleming said ahead of CSK's fourth clash of the IPL 2026 season in the quest for their maiden win.

"For me, it just gives us another year of coaching. And it's always been the case. The players do it. The coaching off the field is really important, but the performances on the field win titles. And, yes, we play a part in the fitness of players, the performance of players, the mental state of players, but ultimately the coaches are judged on the players. I've worked with one of the greatest captains of all time, and I've been incredibly lucky to do that as a coach. So, look, it's not lost on me, and I'm proud of the results, but it's not something that I crave or desire to get accolades for."

Fleming was also quick to brush aside the notion that his coaching formula in T20 cricket had become outdated. While acknowledging criticism due to the lack of results in recent times, Fleming reiterated that his stints as the head coach of the other two Super Kings franchises in MLC and SA20 has helped him stay in touch with the game. "Criticism is fair when you don't do well," Fleming admitted. "That's part of the position. Look, I'm coaching throughout the year and two other competitions, and I'm doing auctions across a lot of players. So it's not that I just turn off and then come to the IPL without an idea of where the game is going. In fact, it's the other way.

"I probably never spent more time studying T20 cricket around players around the world, just to service the other teams as well, which feeds into the IPL. One of the challenges is the number of players we've changed in the squad means there is a little bit of a settling process where other teams have been together for a season. We understand that, so we're trying to accelerate that process. And we just need a little bit of confidence and a bit of evidence, and that comes from getting across the line. And we haven't been too far off. We got Tim David the last game. We weren't as accurate with the ball towards the end, but we still managed 210. So, look, it's a really good sign that we're working very hard and we're well aware, I'm well aware, and the criticism is appropriate. So, we just have to work harder and find a way forward. But I do feel in touch with the game."

While remaining coy on Dewald Brevis' availability for the clash against DC, Fleming lavished praise on the South African youngster. "For a young guy, he brings experience, but he's incredibly talented," Fleming said.

"I think to have worked out his game at such a young age, he obviously got opportunities early and then he dropped off as he was working out how he wanted to play. I'm sure there was a lot of advice during that time, but he's now come out of that cycle with a real clarity as to the way he wants to play. It's aggressive, it's very skillful and it's becoming consistent. So, we value his inputs really highly. He's been a big miss since the start of the season. So, if he is right for this game, he'll be a nice addition."