Former Indian captain Kris Srikkanth believes MS Dhoni controlled everything that mattered at Chennai Super Kings (CSK), even as Stephen Fleming was the head coach of the franchise from 2009 to 2016. CSK and Fleming have mutually parted ways after a dismal IPL 2026 season, bringing the curtains down on the most successful franchise-coach tenure in league history.

Under Fleming as head coach, the Men in Yellow won five IPL titles and qualified for the playoffs in all but five seasons.

Yet, while praising Fleming's record as CSK head coach, Srikkanth claimed that Dhoni was the primary architect of the side's dominance over the years.

Talking about Fleming's head coaching tenure with CSK on his YouTube channel, Cheeky Cheeka, Srikkanth said (7:32):

He continued:

Dhoni and Fleming worked as a captain-coach combination from 2009 to 2023, with CSK winning all five titles in that period and qualifying for nine finals. Fleming also played for CSK in the maiden IPL season in 2008, helping the side finish runners-up.

Kris Srikkanth believes CSK's dismal performances and auction strategies in the last three IPL seasons led to Stephen Fleming's departure from the franchise. After missing the playoffs only twice from 2008 to 2022, the five-time champions failed to finish in the top four in three consecutive seasons from 2024 to 2026.

He concluded:

CSK aside, Stephen Fleming has also parted ways as head coach of the other Super Kings franchises - Texas Super Kings and Joburg Super Kings.

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