Chennai Super Kings and Stephen Fleming end 18-year tie

The Chennai Super Kings announced on Monday, July 13, 2026, that they have mutually parted ways with head coach Stephen Fleming, ending an 18-year association that stands as one of the most successful partnerships in Indian Premier League history. The decision follows what the franchise described as a series of open and honest discussions between Fleming and the team management.

Fleming first joined the Super Kings as a player in the inaugural IPL season in 2008 before taking over as head coach the following year. Under his leadership, CSK became a dominant force in franchise cricket, winning five IPL titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023, along with two Champions League Twenty20 trophies. The team qualified for the IPL playoffs a record 12 times and reached the final on 10 occasions during his tenure.

The departure comes after a sustained period of decline for the franchise. CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive season in IPL 2026, finishing eighth in the standings with six wins and eight losses. This followed a last-place finish in 2025 and a fifth-place finish in 2024, a sharp contrast to the team's historical consistency.