Overview
- Chennai Super Kings have opened IPL 2026 with three straight losses and are bottom of the table.
- Former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh, posting on Instagram on Wednesday, said Stephen Fleming relies on MS Dhoni and is “five steps behind” the modern game.
- Analysts point to leaky death-overs bowling, a cautious batting approach, and a shortage of power hitters as the main faults.
- Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has 41 runs in three matches, with Ramesh urging him to lead with the bat to spark a turnaround.
- Fleming has coached CSK since 2009 and won five titles with Dhoni, but results have slid since Gaikwad took over in 2024, including a last-place finish in 2025.