There has been huge criticism against CSK head coach Stephen Fleming following the side's three heavy defeats at the beginning of IPL 2026. The three consecutive defeats have not only hurt their position on the points table but also shaken the belief that CSK’s time-tested formula is immune to failure. After failing to qualify for the playoffs in both 2024 and 2025, their rocky start to the 2026 season has only intensified the pressure. Speaking on criticism ahead of CSK's high-stakes match against DC on Saturday, Fleming said that criticism is fair when there is no performance.
"Results dictate that. That's fair. Criticism is fair when you don't do well. That's part of the position. Look, I'm coaching throughout the year and two other competitions [the SA20 and MLC], 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," Fleming said at his press conference.
Fleming admitted that Chennai Super Kings’ traditional style wasn’t working. He also focused on nurturing younger T20 talent. Notably, at the auction, CSK spent heavily on young players. Although results haven’t come immediately, their batting intent has clearly evolved. Fleming stressed that building cohesion within a youthful squad naturally requires some patience.
"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. So, yeah, we were off the pace last year, I'm the first to put my hand up and admit it. And we pivoted quite quickly now, and we're in a position where we've got some younger players. I feel very confident about this group of players," he said.
"And in line with other teams, we haven't shown that this year as we settle. 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, whereas other teams have been together for a season. We understand that, so we're trying to accelerate that process," Fleming said.
"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," he asserted.