![IPL 2026: Sanju Samson stakes claim to be CSK’s ‘leading man’ with maiden hundred in yellow jersey Viyarppu thunniyitta kuppayam. Athil nirangal mangukilla kattayam. [Dress spun from sweat; more vivid than any story ever told].The opening lyrics of the song ‘Kuthanthram’ from the 2024 Malayalam classic ‘Manjummel Boys’ left a lasting imprint on people’s minds due to its quirky metaphorical connotation.Indian batter Sanju Samson had referenced the phrase in a social media post after finding a spot back in the playing eleven after being dropped following a disappointing tour of Australia.A lot has transpired in Samson’s life since that game in December 2025. He was dropped from the team again. He was reintegrated again. And then he played three career-defining knocks, one after the other, to guide his nation to a third T20 World Cup triumph.On Saturday, at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, another vivid story was written when a drenched-in-sweat Samson yielded his willow after Chennai Super Kings’ first innings against Delhi Capitals. An unbeaten 115 in front of 30,000 yellow-clad fans at his new amphitheatre was the first real indication of a metamorphosis foreseen by many since the 31-year-old traded his longstanding pink for yellow ahead of the new IPL season.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yGy2jRz8Jc[/embed]Like most things in his more-than-a-decade-long career so far, this too did not come easy for him. Three consecutive no-shows with the bat, all while being the torchbearer for the side’s new injection of exuberance, almost extinguished the halo of nobility that appeared after his World Cup exploits.The first ball he faced from debutant Auqib Nabi set the tone for the day. You would imagine that a batter who was dismissed thrice in succession by the ball moving away — twice through an outside edge looking to push away from off-stump — would look to ensure there was no movement on offer before playing a similar shot. Not Samson. He prodded his front foot across, in a sign of immense self-confidence, to caress the ball through the covers and pick up three.While his opening partner, Ruturaj Gaikwad, struggled to combine both timing and the art of finding the gap together, Samson delivered a clinic in batting against pace in the PowerPlay, combining composure and direction to give his side a rapid start. Two gorgeous fours over extra-cover against Axar Patel followed, after which the Kerala batter slipped his vehicle into autopilot, the likes of which we saw at the victorious multi-nation tournament.A bothersome back, a dropped catch in the deep, and an unnerving prolonged stint in the 90s later, a fortuitous outside edge of the blade took him to three figures, one that the crowd welcomed with ear-splitting whistles and a standing ovation. The CSK fanbase has long venerated a wicketkeeper-batter to such a degree that he is now considered to be the son of the soil. The unyielding fandom has grown to such an extent that it forces him to return to play in front of the adoring crowd despite his growing years. It can’t go on forever, though. But now, there is a successor in place, and Saturday at the Chepauk was his first step towards staking a claim to be that leading man. Published on Apr 12, 2026 #IPL #Sanju #Samson #stakes #claim #CSKs #leading #man #maiden #yellow #jersey](https://i2.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/rfo0xt/article70853376.ece/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1200/image%2013.jpg?ssl=1 "IPL 2026: Sanju Samson stakes claim to be CSK’s ‘leading man’ with maiden hundred in yellow jersey Viyarppu thunniyitta kuppayam. Athil nirangal mangukilla kattayam. [Dress spun from sweat; more vivid than any story ever told].The opening lyrics of the song ‘Kuthanthram’ from the 2024 Malayalam classic ‘Manjummel Boys’ left a lasting imprint on people’s minds due to its quirky metaphorical connotation.Indian batter Sanju Samson had referenced the phrase in a social media post after finding a spot back in the playing eleven after being dropped following a disappointing tour of Australia.A lot has transpired in Samson’s life since that game in December 2025. He was dropped from the team again. He was reintegrated again. And then he played three career-defining knocks, one after the other, to guide his nation to a third T20 World Cup triumph.On Saturday, at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, another vivid story was written when a drenched-in-sweat Samson yielded his willow after Chennai Super Kings’ first innings against Delhi Capitals. An unbeaten 115 in front of 30,000 yellow-clad fans at his new amphitheatre was the first real indication of a metamorphosis foreseen by many since the 31-year-old traded his longstanding pink for yellow ahead of the new IPL season.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yGy2jRz8Jc[/embed]Like most things in his more-than-a-decade-long career so far, this too did not come easy for him. Three consecutive no-shows with the bat, all while being the torchbearer for the side’s new injection of exuberance, almost extinguished the halo of nobility that appeared after his World Cup exploits.The first ball he faced from debutant Auqib Nabi set the tone for the day. You would imagine that a batter who was dismissed thrice in succession by the ball moving away — twice through an outside edge looking to push away from off-stump — would look to ensure there was no movement on offer before playing a similar shot. Not Samson. He prodded his front foot across, in a sign of immense self-confidence, to caress the ball through the covers and pick up three.While his opening partner, Ruturaj Gaikwad, struggled to combine both timing and the art of finding the gap together, Samson delivered a clinic in batting against pace in the PowerPlay, combining composure and direction to give his side a rapid start. Two gorgeous fours over extra-cover against Axar Patel followed, after which the Kerala batter slipped his vehicle into autopilot, the likes of which we saw at the victorious multi-nation tournament.A bothersome back, a dropped catch in the deep, and an unnerving prolonged stint in the 90s later, a fortuitous outside edge of the blade took him to three figures, one that the crowd welcomed with ear-splitting whistles and a standing ovation. The CSK fanbase has long venerated a wicketkeeper-batter to such a degree that he is now considered to be the son of the soil. The unyielding fandom has grown to such an extent that it forces him to return to play in front of the adoring crowd despite his growing years. It can’t go on forever, though. But now, there is a successor in place, and Saturday at the Chepauk was his first step towards staking a claim to be that leading man. Published on Apr 12, 2026 #IPL #Sanju #Samson #stakes #claim #CSKs #leading #man #maiden #yellow #jersey")
Sports news
#IPL #Sanju #Samson #stakes #claim #CSKs #leading #man #maiden #yellow #jersey">IPL 2026: Sanju Samson stakes claim to be CSK’s ‘leading man’ with maiden hundred in yellow jersey Viyarppu thunniyitta kuppayam. Athil nirangal mangukilla kattayam. [Dress spun from sweat; more vivid than any story ever told].
The opening lyrics of the song ‘Kuthanthram’ from the 2024 Malayalam classic ‘Manjummel Boys’ left a lasting imprint on people’s minds due to its quirky metaphorical connotation.
Indian batter Sanju Samson had referenced the phrase in a social media post after finding a spot back in the playing eleven after being dropped following a disappointing tour of Australia.
A lot has transpired in Samson’s life since that game in December 2025. He was dropped from the team again. He was reintegrated again. And then he played three career-defining knocks, one after the other, to guide his nation to a third T20 World Cup triumph.
On Saturday, at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, another vivid story was written when a drenched-in-sweat Samson yielded his willow after Chennai Super Kings’ first innings against Delhi Capitals. An unbeaten 115 in front of 30,000 yellow-clad fans at his new amphitheatre was the first real indication of a metamorphosis foreseen by many since the 31-year-old traded his longstanding pink for yellow ahead of the new IPL season.
Like most things in his more-than-a-decade-long career so far, this too did not come easy for him. Three consecutive no-shows with the bat, all while being the torchbearer for the side’s new injection of exuberance, almost extinguished the halo of nobility that appeared after his World Cup exploits.
The first ball he faced from debutant Auqib Nabi set the tone for the day. You would imagine that a batter who was dismissed thrice in succession by the ball moving away — twice through an outside edge looking to push away from off-stump — would look to ensure there was no movement on offer before playing a similar shot. Not Samson. He prodded his front foot across, in a sign of immense self-confidence, to caress the ball through the covers and pick up three.
While his opening partner, Ruturaj Gaikwad, struggled to combine both timing and the art of finding the gap together, Samson delivered a clinic in batting against pace in the PowerPlay, combining composure and direction to give his side a rapid start. Two gorgeous fours over extra-cover against Axar Patel followed, after which the Kerala batter slipped his vehicle into autopilot, the likes of which we saw at the victorious multi-nation tournament.
A bothersome back, a dropped catch in the deep, and an unnerving prolonged stint in the 90s later, a fortuitous outside edge of the blade took him to three figures, one that the crowd welcomed with ear-splitting whistles and a standing ovation.
The CSK fanbase has long venerated a wicketkeeper-batter to such a degree that he is now considered to be the son of the soil. The unyielding fandom has grown to such an extent that it forces him to return to play in front of the adoring crowd despite his growing years. It can’t go on forever, though. But now, there is a successor in place, and Saturday at the Chepauk was his first step towards staking a claim to be that leading man.
Published on Apr 12, 2026
Viyarppu thunniyitta kuppayam. Athil nirangal mangukilla kattayam. [Dress spun from sweat; more vivid than any story…
Sports news
#IPL #bring #body #mind #basics #Sanju #Samson #maiden #century #CSK">IPL 2026: ‘You need to bring your body and mind to basics,’ says Sanju Samson after maiden century for CSK
Chennai Super Kings opener Sanju Samson said he went back to the basics after three batting failures as he set up his side’s 23-run win over Delhi Capitals with an unbeaten hundred in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Chennai on Saturday.
Samson made 6, 7 and 9 in CSK’s three losses in a row in IPL 2026, before his 56-ball unbeaten 115, studded with 15 fours and four sixes, gave the home side its first win of the season.
“I failed a lot. Failing a lot tells you how to come back. Mentally, you think if you need to go hard or change the gameplan. You need to bring your body and mind to basics,” Samson said at the post-match presentation.
“Basics are to get in a mentally different zone. We need to come back to timing the ball and watching it come out nicely from the bowler’s hand. Very happy things have come (out) nicely today.”
He said it was not easy to join a new franchise—from RR to CSK this season—but the team environment has made it easy for him.
“Really means a lot. The trust they (CSK franchise) showed in me, it was a very responsible feeling that I needed to put in a show and say we are still in the tournament,” said Samson.
“Not easy to start off at a different franchise b,ut it never felt like it. It was like coming to a second home. We just had a meeting of 50 seconds today (despite three losses)—that connects with the kind of person I am.”
On his 113-run partnership with youngster Ayush Mhatre (59), he said, “Very important to have a great partnership. It never looked like he (Mhatre) was coming out of U-19—he was so calculative. Shows the character he has.”
On his hundred celebration, Samson said, “That was for (Stephen) Fleming. I know how hard it can get, leading a franchise for years. Just wanted to dedicate this (innings) to Fleming.”
Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad said the team felt good to finally get the win.
“Great performance. We had been batting well. To post 200-210, when the wicket is on the slower side, we were showing good signs. One of those knocks where Sanju took on the opposition, played a magnificent knock. Ayush also. But today was about the bowling. Taking wickets, bowling aggressive lengths. We do not have that X-factor in the bowling, but we have been discussing on how to be more effective and more proactive. In the last few games, we were almost there. Some big overs cost us.
“Bowling-wise, we were on the mark (tonight). We were set back in the PowerPlay, but we came back after it.”
Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel said the fielding was the difference in the match.
“We started well, but after the PowerPlay, we lost quick wickets, and that broke the momentum. The fielding was the difference in the match. Wickets falling in clusters made it tough to regain momentum. Batters did a decent job, but overall, our fielding was a let-down. Want to credit the bowlers, to keep them to that score, despite them having set batters on a good wicket. A couple of dropped catches, had we taken them, it might have been different. Pitch did not change. It was a little more difficult for them (with the dew in the second innings) but they bowled pretty well,” he noted.
Published on Apr 12, 2026
Chennai Super Kings opener Sanju Samson said he went back to the basics after three batting failures as he set up his side’s 23-run win over Delhi Capitals with an unbeaten hundred in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Chennai on Saturday.
Samson made 6, 7 and 9 in CSK’s three losses in a row in IPL 2026, before his 56-ball unbeaten 115, studded with 15 fours and four sixes, gave the home side its first win of the season.
“I failed a lot. Failing a lot tells you how to come back. Mentally, you think if you need to go hard or change the gameplan. You need to bring your body and mind to basics,” Samson said at the post-match presentation.
“Basics are to get in a mentally different zone. We need to come back to timing the ball and watching it come out nicely from the bowler’s hand. Very happy things have come (out) nicely today.”
He said it was not easy to join a new franchise—from RR to CSK this season—but the team environment has made it easy for him.
“Really means a lot. The trust they (CSK franchise) showed in me, it was a very responsible feeling that I needed to put in a show and say we are still in the tournament,” said Samson.
“Not easy to start off at a different franchise b,ut it never felt like it. It was like coming to a second home. We just had a meeting of 50 seconds today (despite three losses)—that connects with the kind of person I am.”
On his 113-run partnership with youngster Ayush Mhatre (59), he said, “Very important to have a great partnership. It never looked like he (Mhatre) was coming out of U-19—he was so calculative. Shows the character he has.”
On his hundred celebration, Samson said, “That was for (Stephen) Fleming. I know how hard it can get, leading a franchise for years. Just wanted to dedicate this (innings) to Fleming.”
Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad said the team felt good to finally get the win.
“Great performance. We had been batting well. To post 200-210, when the wicket is on the slower side, we were showing good signs. One of those knocks where Sanju took on the opposition, played a magnificent knock. Ayush also. But today was about the bowling. Taking wickets, bowling aggressive lengths. We do not have that X-factor in the bowling, but we have been discussing on how to be more effective and more proactive. In the last few games, we were almost there. Some big overs cost us.
“Bowling-wise, we were on the mark (tonight). We were set back in the PowerPlay, but we came back after it.”
Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel said the fielding was the difference in the match.
“We started well, but after the PowerPlay, we lost quick wickets, and that broke the momentum. The fielding was the difference in the match. Wickets falling in clusters made it tough to regain momentum. Batters did a decent job, but overall, our fielding was a let-down. Want to credit the bowlers, to keep them to that score, despite them having set batters on a good wicket. A couple of dropped catches, had we taken them, it might have been different. Pitch did not change. It was a little more difficult for them (with the dew in the second innings) but they bowled pretty well,” he noted.
Published on Apr 12, 2026
Chennai Super Kings opener Sanju Samson said he went back to the basics after three…
Sports news
#CSK #IPL #Losing #wickets #overs #turning #point #Delhi #Capitals #Director #Cricket #Venugopal #Rao">CSK vs DC, IPL 2026: ‘Losing four wickets in four overs was the turning point,’ says Delhi Capitals Director of Cricket Venugopal Rao
After starting the tournament with two wins in two, Delhi Capitals has been pegged back with consecutive losses against Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings. The team’s Director of Cricket, Venugopal Rao, suggested that losing a flurry of wickets together dented its chances to chase down the target of 212 at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.
After Pathum Nissanka’s opening blitz helped the team past 50 runs in no time, the CSK pacers reduced the side to 76 for four. Tristan Stubbs’ 30-ball 68 went in vain as the team failed to recover from the slide to mount a serious challenge.
“I felt losing four wickets in four overs was the turning point. In this format, losing back-to-back wickets always causes harm to the team. I think it is a game of momentum. If we had restricted them to 15-20 fewer, psychologically we have a better chance of chasing down a total below 200,” he opined.
DC also squandered multiple chances on the field, including a botched run-out and a catch dropped of Sanju Samson, who went on to score an unbeaten hundred.
“It happens. It’s a long tournament, we will have one or two bad games,” Rao said. “In the first three games, we fielded well. One-off game; after the strategic timeout, we missed a run-out and gave a life to Sanju in the same over,” he added.
Rao also said that the team will have an update about pacer Mitchell Starc’s return in a week. He also refused to divulge any further information on Australian spinner Nikhil Chaudhary, who has been training with the team despite not being added to the squad officially.
Published on Apr 12, 2026
After starting the tournament with two wins in two, Delhi Capitals has been pegged back with consecutive losses against Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings. The team’s Director of Cricket, Venugopal Rao, suggested that losing a flurry of wickets together dented its chances to chase down the target of 212 at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.
After Pathum Nissanka’s opening blitz helped the team past 50 runs in no time, the CSK pacers reduced the side to 76 for four. Tristan Stubbs’ 30-ball 68 went in vain as the team failed to recover from the slide to mount a serious challenge.
“I felt losing four wickets in four overs was the turning point. In this format, losing back-to-back wickets always causes harm to the team. I think it is a game of momentum. If we had restricted them to 15-20 fewer, psychologically we have a better chance of chasing down a total below 200,” he opined.
DC also squandered multiple chances on the field, including a botched run-out and a catch dropped of Sanju Samson, who went on to score an unbeaten hundred.
“It happens. It’s a long tournament, we will have one or two bad games,” Rao said. “In the first three games, we fielded well. One-off game; after the strategic timeout, we missed a run-out and gave a life to Sanju in the same over,” he added.
Rao also said that the team will have an update about pacer Mitchell Starc’s return in a week. He also refused to divulge any further information on Australian spinner Nikhil Chaudhary, who has been training with the team despite not being added to the squad officially.
Published on Apr 12, 2026
After starting the tournament with two wins in two, Delhi Capitals has been pegged back…
![IPL 2026: Overton is living in an environment where he feels he is backed, says CSK bowling coach Simmons Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowling coach Eric Simmons attributed the team’s improved bowling performance in the victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) to ‘better execution of plans’.After being plundered for 250 runs by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the last game, the CSK bowling group regrouped to defend 212 against DC and earn the side’s first points this season. Simmons suggested that the performance in Bengaluru wasn’t very far off what the team displayed in front of the home fans six days later. “Last game we lost, people looked at it as a huge loss. When we analysed the game, we found it was bigger than it really was. Tonight, things went our way. The guys stuck to the plan, understood the dimensions of the field, and knew where to bowl and not,” he said at the post-match press conference.The star of the night with the ball was English pacer Jamie Overton, who finished with figures of four for 18, a week after being carted for 42 in just three by RCB. The coach said Overton reaped the rewards of sticking to his strengths and understanding what the team requires from him.“He tried something which didn’t work against RCB, but he went back to his strength tonight. He rattled everybody with his pace. When you’re bowling 150 kmph, having an off-pace delivery that is under 120 is really effective,” the South African said.“Sometimes, you bowl the same ball, and the ball goes up in the air, the next time it goes over the fence for six. [Going for runs] doesn’t make you a bad bowler. He’s just living in an environment where he’s feeling he’s backed, and I think that’s important for a bowler in the modern game,” he added. Simmons also spelt out the rationale behind CSK signing the currently-injured Spencer Johnson as a replacement for Nathan Ellis.“Strategically, to have someone like him with his pace and left-arm bowling is really important. We’re not sure how much of a role he’ll play this year, but that’s fine. A lot of scouting is finding out from people who know the individuals. That was certainly done to get an understanding. He’s got a lot of attributes that we were excited about,” Simmons explained.Published on Apr 12, 2026 #IPL #Overton #living #environment #feels #backed #CSK #bowling #coach #Simmons](https://i3.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/no6pjm/article70853249.ece/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1200/image.jpg?ssl=1 "IPL 2026: Overton is living in an environment where he feels he is backed, says CSK bowling coach Simmons Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowling coach Eric Simmons attributed the team’s improved bowling performance in the victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) to ‘better execution of plans’.After being plundered for 250 runs by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the last game, the CSK bowling group regrouped to defend 212 against DC and earn the side’s first points this season. Simmons suggested that the performance in Bengaluru wasn’t very far off what the team displayed in front of the home fans six days later. “Last game we lost, people looked at it as a huge loss. When we analysed the game, we found it was bigger than it really was. Tonight, things went our way. The guys stuck to the plan, understood the dimensions of the field, and knew where to bowl and not,” he said at the post-match press conference.The star of the night with the ball was English pacer Jamie Overton, who finished with figures of four for 18, a week after being carted for 42 in just three by RCB. The coach said Overton reaped the rewards of sticking to his strengths and understanding what the team requires from him.“He tried something which didn’t work against RCB, but he went back to his strength tonight. He rattled everybody with his pace. When you’re bowling 150 kmph, having an off-pace delivery that is under 120 is really effective,” the South African said.“Sometimes, you bowl the same ball, and the ball goes up in the air, the next time it goes over the fence for six. [Going for runs] doesn’t make you a bad bowler. He’s just living in an environment where he’s feeling he’s backed, and I think that’s important for a bowler in the modern game,” he added. Simmons also spelt out the rationale behind CSK signing the currently-injured Spencer Johnson as a replacement for Nathan Ellis.“Strategically, to have someone like him with his pace and left-arm bowling is really important. We’re not sure how much of a role he’ll play this year, but that’s fine. A lot of scouting is finding out from people who know the individuals. That was certainly done to get an understanding. He’s got a lot of attributes that we were excited about,” Simmons explained.Published on Apr 12, 2026 #IPL #Overton #living #environment #feels #backed #CSK #bowling #coach #Simmons")
![CSK vs DC, IPL 2026: ‘Criticism is fair when you’re not doing well,’ says Chennai Super Kings coach Fleming Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming acknowledged that the criticism directed towards him following the side’s dismal start to the IPL 2026 season was ‘fair’.CSK has been winless in its last three encounters and is currently rooted to the bottom of the table, the same position where the side finished last term. It is not a situation fans of the five-time champion have been familiar with. A section of them have questioned if the Kiwi coach, who has been in charge since 2009, deserves to continue in the hot seat.The coach, however, was quick to respond to suggestions that he hadn’t been up to speed with the exponential changes in the shortest format over the last half-decade.“Criticism is fair when you’re not doing well; that’s part of the position, and the results dictate that. I’m coaching through the year in two other competitions, so it’s not that I just turn off and then come to the IPL without an idea of where the game is going. I have probably not spent more time studying T20 cricket and players around the world [as much as now],” the head coach said on the eve of the encounter against the Delhi Capitals.“Yes, we were off the pace last year. [Mine will be] the first hand up. We pivoted quickly. Now, we’ve got some younger players, and I’m very confident about this group. We haven’t shown that as yet [this season]. One of the challenges is the number of players we have changed [from last year]. That means there is a bit of a settling-in process which we are trying to accelerate,” he added.MATCH PREVIEW | Wounded Delhi Capitals faces floundering Chennai Super Kings in search of momentumFleming cheekily attributed his long-term association with the team, an aspect that has been dwindling across both franchise and national teams in this era, to the five IPL and two Champions League titles won under his reign.“It is unusual, and I’m very grateful. But we have been able to operate at a consistent level that I guess has allowed the franchise to put faith in the coaching group. We’re proud of what we achieved, but not satisfied. There is a desire to keep adding,” the 53-year-old said.The head coach swayed away from the suggestion that he has not been given his due credit despite winning countless championships. “It’s purely the players for me. The coaching off the field is important, but it’s the performances that win titles and eventually what coaches are judged by. I’ve worked with one of the greatest captains of all time, and I’ve been incredibly lucky to do that as a coach,” he said, paying an ode to former skipper M.S. Dhoni, who continues to miss out on action through a calf injury.Fleming added that Dhoni was ‘working hard to get back’ from a calf strain without giving a timeline for his return.Published on Apr 10, 2026 #CSK #IPL #Criticism #fair #youre #Chennai #Super #Kings #coach #Fleming](https://i2.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/3y76q5/article70848039.ece/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1200/STEPHEN%20FLEMING%20CSK%20VS%20RCB%20IPL%20MATCH_01.jpg?ssl=1 "CSK vs DC, IPL 2026: ‘Criticism is fair when you’re not doing well,’ says Chennai Super Kings coach Fleming Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming acknowledged that the criticism directed towards him following the side’s dismal start to the IPL 2026 season was ‘fair’.CSK has been winless in its last three encounters and is currently rooted to the bottom of the table, the same position where the side finished last term. It is not a situation fans of the five-time champion have been familiar with. A section of them have questioned if the Kiwi coach, who has been in charge since 2009, deserves to continue in the hot seat.The coach, however, was quick to respond to suggestions that he hadn’t been up to speed with the exponential changes in the shortest format over the last half-decade.“Criticism is fair when you’re not doing well; that’s part of the position, and the results dictate that. I’m coaching through the year in two other competitions, so it’s not that I just turn off and then come to the IPL without an idea of where the game is going. I have probably not spent more time studying T20 cricket and players around the world [as much as now],” the head coach said on the eve of the encounter against the Delhi Capitals.“Yes, we were off the pace last year. [Mine will be] the first hand up. We pivoted quickly. Now, we’ve got some younger players, and I’m very confident about this group. We haven’t shown that as yet [this season]. One of the challenges is the number of players we have changed [from last year]. That means there is a bit of a settling-in process which we are trying to accelerate,” he added.MATCH PREVIEW | Wounded Delhi Capitals faces floundering Chennai Super Kings in search of momentumFleming cheekily attributed his long-term association with the team, an aspect that has been dwindling across both franchise and national teams in this era, to the five IPL and two Champions League titles won under his reign.“It is unusual, and I’m very grateful. But we have been able to operate at a consistent level that I guess has allowed the franchise to put faith in the coaching group. We’re proud of what we achieved, but not satisfied. There is a desire to keep adding,” the 53-year-old said.The head coach swayed away from the suggestion that he has not been given his due credit despite winning countless championships. “It’s purely the players for me. The coaching off the field is important, but it’s the performances that win titles and eventually what coaches are judged by. I’ve worked with one of the greatest captains of all time, and I’ve been incredibly lucky to do that as a coach,” he said, paying an ode to former skipper M.S. Dhoni, who continues to miss out on action through a calf injury.Fleming added that Dhoni was ‘working hard to get back’ from a calf strain without giving a timeline for his return.Published on Apr 10, 2026 #CSK #IPL #Criticism #fair #youre #Chennai #Super #Kings #coach #Fleming")
