Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming isn’t wasting any time dwelling on what’s gone wrong in IPL 2025. Instead, he’s already turning one eye toward the future, even as his team struggles to stay afloat in the current campaign. With just four points from eight matches, the five-time champions sit at the bottom of the table—an uncharacteristic position for a team known for its consistency and composure.
“It’s hard to stay enthusiastic when you’re not performing to potential,” Stephen Fleming admitted during the post-match press conference. “But that’s exactly what we must do—keep fighting and stay invested in the remainder of the season.”
Despite the dismal start, Fleming remains focused on long-term planning, drawing parallels to the 2022 season when CSK finished ninth, only to bounce back and win the title in 2023. He believes that even in a poor campaign, valuable lessons can be learned and applied for the seasons ahead.
WATCH – Rohit Sharma Earns A New Nickname After Match-Winning Knock Against CSK
“Nothing we do in this tournament will be wasted,” he stated. “We’ll use this time to evaluate players, test combinations, and prepare for next year. There will be no stone left unturned in setting up a strong foundation going forward.”
That said, Fleming isn’t writing off the current season just yet. He insists the team will keep pushing for a playoff spot until it’s mathematically impossible. But if that moment comes, they’ll quickly pivot to rebuilding.
“If we can’t make it, we’ll still use the remaining games as an opportunity,” he said. “Not the ideal scenario, of course, but it’s something we’ll approach professionally.”
One of CSK’s biggest concerns this year has been their sluggish starts with the bat. In their recent match against the Mumbai Indians, it took a 17-year-old debutant, Ayush Mhatre, to finally break the shackles with their first boundary. Fleming, however, attributes the issue to a dip in confidence, not ability.
WATCH – Virat Kohli’s Punjabi Banter with Harpreet Brar Steals the Show During Match-Winning Knock
“We’re not trying to play conservatively,” he clarified. “We’re just going through a rough patch, and with personnel changes happening, it’s been hard to build rhythm and belief.”
