Why Stephen Fleming Left as CSK Coach After 17 Years; Is Rahul Dravid The Potential Successor?

Stephen Fleming stepped down as Chennai Super Kings head coach after a more than 17 year tenure. Rahul Dravid name emerges as potential next head coach to the name.

Post Published By: Sreeja Chowdhury

Updated : 13 July 2026, 3:32 PM IST

Stephen Fleming Leaves CSK

New Delhi: Stephen Fleming, Former New Zealand captain has stepped down as Chennai Super Kings head coach after a more than a decade tenure.

Former New Zealand captain who joined the franchise as a player in the first edition of the Indian Premier League has helped CSK win five titles over the course of 17 years.

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The Super Kings and Head Coach Stephen Fleming have mutually decided to part ways.
Together, we shared one of the most successful and enduring partnerships in IPL history. The legacy you've built will continue to inspire us.

With immense respect and… pic.twitter.com/qjvb4oZUuU

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) July 13, 2026

In an X's Post on July 13, CSK said that the franchise and Fleming have parted ways mutually after honest conversations with the management following an eighth-place finish in the IPL 2026.

Fleming on leaving CSK

Fleming said that "Eighteen years is a lifetime in sport, and I leave with nothing but gratitude. My time with Chennai Super Kings has been the privilege of my coaching career. I am proud of everything we have achieved,” Fleming was quoted as saying in CSK’s official statement.

Stephen Fleming also added that "Together, we celebrated unforgettable victories, overcame difficult moments, and built memories that will stay with me forever. CSK will always be close to my heart, and I will be cheering the team on for years to come."

Why Fleming leaving CSK?

One of the reason behind Stephen Fleming leaving can be that CSK have not qualified for the playoffs since 2023 when they beat Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final under MS Dhoni's leadership to win the title.

In IPL 2024, they narrowly missed the playoffs spot after the loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the must-win game. In IPL 2025, they finished at the bottom of the points table for the first time with just four wins from 14 games.

Former India captain Rahul Dravid's name has been coming up as the potential candidates to become the new head coach of CSK.

There are more names in speculations around for becoming the new head coach of CSK.