CSK Coach Stephen Fleming Reflects on IPL 2025 Exit: “A Poor Year Has Shaken Everybody”

Chennai Super Kings’ head coach emphasizes the importance of experience, acknowledges team setbacks, and vows tactical introspection after missing IPL 2025 playoffs

New Delhi, May 20:
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has admitted that missing the IPL 2025 playoffs has been a wake-up call for the five-time champions, and acknowledged that the franchise will be taking a hard look at its approach going forward.

Speaking ahead of CSK’s final league-stage game against Rajasthan Royals, Fleming emphasized that experience remains a core strength for the franchise, even if the results didn’t reflect it this season.

“I don’t care how old players are. I do like experience, and experience has served us really well over the proud years that we’ve had,” Fleming told ESPNcricinfo.
“It hasn’t quite worked out for us this year… that could be form, strategy, or other variables. The competition is very even, and having a poor year has sort of shaken everybody.”

CSK, long known for building a squad around seasoned players, struggled to find consistent form in IPL 2025. Despite bringing back Ravichandran Ashwin and acquiring the likes of Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, and Vijay Shankar in hopes of reviving their careers—as they had successfully done with Shivam Dube and Ajinkya Rahane in the past—the formula failed to click this time.

Fleming insisted, however, that the solution isn’t just to chase youth blindly.

“It’s one thing to say we want a team full of young players, but you’ve got to find them. Talent identification and fit are crucial,” he explained.
“Yes, the top run-scorers and wicket-takers still include experienced names, but they’re now being complemented by fearless young performers. That’s the blend we have to get right.”

CSK’s underwhelming campaign—despite high expectations—has sparked discussions about whether the team’s long-standing faith in veteran players needs a tactical reset. While Fleming hasn’t ruled out changes, he made it clear that CSK’s DNA remains rooted in experienced leadership and calculated strategy, not knee-jerk overhauls.