Big update on chances of Rahul Dravid replacing Stephen Fleming as CSK's next head coach in IPL 2027

A big update has surfaced amidst all the rumours around revamping Chennai Super Kings' coaching set up including Stephen Fleming's role. As per a Cricbuzz report, the team management of the the five-time IPL champions' has not yet made a decision regarding the future of head coach Fleming.

Rahul Dravid to replace Stephen Fleming as CSK's head coach?

Despite rampant rumors linking former Indian captain Rahul Dravid to the franchise, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan categorically stated that no contact has been made with him. While the management is fully aware of the growing clamor among fans and on social media for a coaching change, Viswanathan emphasized that they have not yet reviewed any cricketing matters but will do so at a later stage.

“We have not taken a call on any cricketing matters. We will review at some stage,” CSK CEO told Cricbuzz.

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Within the CSK camp, there is a strong perception that any decision regarding a coaching transition should come voluntarily from Fleming himself. The New Zealander has been at the helm since the second season of the IPL, guiding the team to five titles and ten playoff appearances. However, the franchise has failed to reach the post-league phase for the last three consecutive seasons. In fact, since 2022, five-time champions Mumbai Indians (0.681) and CSK (0.775) statistically hold the worst and second-worst win/loss ratios in the league.

Fleming's extensive role with the franchise also carries significant financial weight. While his IPL remuneration was around USD 700,000 per season until a few years ago, his responsibilities have since expanded. He now also serves as the head coach for the Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket (MLC) and the Joburg Super Kings in SA20, bringing his total annual earnings from the CSK management close to USD 1 million.

Given the short turnaround time before the MLC begins on June 18, an immediate call on Fleming's future remains unlikely. While formal discussions are expected to take place later, the CSK management will almost certainly consult MS Dhoni before finalizing any plans. Whether or not Dhoni continues to take the field as a player, he will remain an integral part of the CSK setup and is expected to have a major say in the final decision regarding his long-time coach.

CSK could be staring down a period of major restructuring ahead of the IPL 2027 following another underwhelming campaign. The five-time champions failed to secure a playoff berth once again, marking their third consecutive season finishing outside the top four since they last lifted the trophy back in 2023.

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CSK's dismal outing in IPL 2026

CSK concluded their disappointing 2026 season languishing toward the bottom of the points table, managing to secure just six victories out of their 14 league matches. This slump highlights a broader trend of inconsistency for the franchise; over the last three seasons combined, the team has managed only 17 wins while enduring 25 losses.

While Chennai once seemed completely unstoppable under the legendary partnership of head coach Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni, the team now appears to be falling behind its own lofty standards. A failure to adapt quickly enough to modern, hyper-aggressive T20 tactical shifts, coupled with a string of untimely player injuries, severely hampered CSK's performance throughout the 2026 tournament.

Stephen Fleming remains one of the most decorated and successful coaches in IPL history. After originally joining the franchise as a player during the inaugural 2008 season, the former New Zealand captain transitioned into the head coach role in 2009. For nearly two decades, he has been the strategic anchor of the team, guiding the Yellow Army to five IPL titles and two Champions League crowns.

However, the dynamic of the league has drastically evolved in recent years. CSK has visibly struggled to keep pace with rival teams playing a completely fearless brand of cricket. Even though management assembled what looked like a highly competitive, upgraded squad on paper compared to previous years, the team ultimately failed to execute on the field in 2026.