With all the buzz about MS Dhoni coming back as captain since Ruturaj Gaikwad is out in IPL 2025, Stephen Fleming, the Head Coach of Chennai Super Kings, made it clear that just having Dhoni as captain doesn’t guarantee wins. Before CSK’s next match against the Lucknow Super Giants, Fleming knows they have a tough road ahead if they want to turn things around. He expressed how disappointed he was with the last game, where the team didn’t show much fight from the get-go.
“It’s a big challenge, no doubt about it. We need to take it step by step and keep working on improving every part of our game so we can compete better. The last game was really disappointing because we didn’t compete, and that stung a lot,” he said, according to Cricbuzz.
Fleming pointed out that the team is still figuring out its identity and needs to reflect the proud brand they’ve built over the years. He wants the players to overcome their doubts and find their rhythm. “There’s been a lot of soul searching within the team, plus we’re working hard on what we need to do. It’s crucial that we put in a performance that really represents who we are as a franchise. We’ve got a lot of hurt we can turn into motivation, but it’s not about just talking; it’s about players stepping up, finding their form, and shaking off any worries when looking for a strong performance,” Fleming added.
Regarding Dhoni’s impact, Fleming acknowledged that he’ll play a key role, but it’s unrealistic to expect him to fix everything by himself. The whole team needs to pull together, especially for the next match. “Dhoni’s influence is always there, but he isn’t a miracle worker who can just wave a wand. If he could, he would have done that already. It’s about all of us working hard with him to turn things around,” he said.
Fleming concluded by saying that both he and Dhoni have faced tough situations before and they need to focus their energy in the right direction. “Sometimes, you can get caught up in stuff that doesn’t really matter. So, narrowing it down and concentrating on what’s important has been the focus for the last few days,” he added.