'Just being a man-manager wouldn't work': Former India batter explains why CSK needed to move on from Stephen Fleming

In a series of surprising events, former CSK batter Subramaniam Badrinath has reacted to the departure of head coach Stephen Fleming from the Chennai-based franchise after having a long tenure of 18 years. After the five-time IPL champions failed to qualify for the playoffs in the last three editions both Fleming and CSK mutually agreed on parting ways, marking an end of an era in the Indian Premier League.

Subramaniam Badrinath makes big claim on CSK

Reacting to the development, Subramaniam Badrinath expressed that Fleming's departure could actually work in CSK's favor, as a lot of young talent is coming in the franchise and the Yellow Army needs someone who has a brilliant tactical acumen to prepare great strategies to win games.

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“With the Indian youngsters coming through the ranks, a coach with great technical and tactical acumen in T20s is needed. Because you have to build a squad by picking the right players and grooming them," said Badrinath on his official YouTube Channel.

Badrinath believes being a man-manager would work in the current CSK setup and in the absence of MS Dhoni a requirement of having a smart coach becomes essential. While concluding, Badrinath accepted that Fleming's departure is hard to accept but it has to be done.

“Just being a man-manager would not work in the current CSK setup and an actual coach is needed without MS Dhoni. A coach that does more technical work will be needed now," said Badrinath.

“So it is the right decision to let Fleming go, even though it would have been hard," concluded Badrinath.

Stephen Fleming's legacy at CSK

In the inaugural edition of the IPL, Stephen Fleming made his debut as a player while representing CSK under MS Dhoni's leadership. From the 2009 season, Fleming worked as CSK's head coach and formed a great legacy with MS Dhoni at the front, winning five IPL titles between 2009 and 2023. However, since MS Dhoni stepped down from captain's position, CSK's performance witnessed a steep decline, enduring three disappointing seasons in a row.