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

The End of an Era for Stephen Fleming at CSK?

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a franchise synonymous with consistency and tactical brilliance in the Indian Premier League, finds itself at a critical crossroads. Following a disappointing eighth-place finish in the 2026 IPL season, the organization is facing intense scrutiny. Among the most vocal critics is former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar, who has openly questioned whether head coach Stephen Fleming has reached the end of his tenure with the Yellow Army.

A Legacy Under Pressure

Stephen Fleming’s association with the Chennai Super Kings is historic, spanning from the franchise’s inception. Initially joining as a player, he seamlessly transitioned into the role of head coach, becoming the mastermind behind five IPL trophy triumphs and two Champions League T20 titles. However, recent results have cast a shadow over this decorated tenure.

The 2026 campaign was particularly difficult for the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side. Managing only six wins in 14 matches, the team struggled with inconsistency throughout the tournament. Despite a brief, promising mid-season stretch where they secured six wins in eight games, the team was bookended by two separate streaks of three consecutive losses. This pattern of instability has led to a third consecutive year where the franchise has failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Manjrekar Calls for Radical Change

Speaking to Sportstar, Sanjay Manjrekar did not mince words regarding the current state of the franchise. He argued that the recent failures are not merely bad luck, but a reflection of systemic stagnation. Manjrekar suggested that the time has come for the franchise to make difficult, necessary decisions to revitalize the team’s culture and performance.

“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.

Tactical Questions and Leadership Shifts

Beyond the results, Manjrekar questioned the efficacy of Fleming’s tactical influence in the post-MS Dhoni era. While acknowledging Fleming’s deep cricketing knowledge, Manjrekar suggested that the coach’s role may have been over-reliant on Dhoni’s on-field leadership in previous years.

The criticism extended to the current captaincy structure. Manjrekar proposed a bold shift: handing the captaincy reins to Sanju Samson. The rationale is to allow Ruturaj Gaikwad to focus solely on his batting, potentially returning him to the prolific form he displayed in earlier seasons. “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 added.

The MS Dhoni Factor

The discussion also touched upon the handling of MS Dhoni. Manjrekar expressed concerns regarding how the franchise has managed the legendary cricketer’s role. He indicated that maintaining Dhoni in a significant, high-pressure capacity within the team structure despite being past his prime has not served the team’s long-term interests.

As the noise surrounding the Chennai Super Kings grows, the franchise management faces a daunting off-season. Whether they choose to retain their long-serving coach or embark on a total rebuild remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: the era of relative stability in Chennai is being challenged by the relentless pressure for results in an increasingly competitive IPL landscape.