Stephen Fleming admits letting supporters down that show up because of MS Dhoni amid CSK’s ongoing slump

Taking responsibility for CSK's poor showing and for disappointing fans, Stephen Fleming believes MS Dhoni's popularity still draws crowds.

Stephen Fleming admits letting supporters down that show up because of MS Dhoni amid CSK’s ongoing slump

CSK head coach Stephen Fleming took responsibility of the team's struggles this season. (via NDTV Sports)

Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming, while taking responsibility for the side’s poor 2025 IPL display, admitted that the team has let down the valiant CSK supporters. He even went on to claim that MS Dhoni’s popularity is what draws fans to the stadium, despite their ongoing slump. 

CSK might be experiencing their worst IPL campaign this summer, as they languish at the bottom of the standings with just four points. The five-time IPL winners have managed to win just two out of their nine matches this season. The Men in Yellow’s hopes of making it through to the play-offs faced another setback, following their recent defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chepauk. 

It has been a dire season for CSK, who have struggled to play the fast-paced modern-day T20 cricket, struggling with the bat and ball equally. MS Dhoni’s return to the helm has not been of help either, with the 43-year-old having replaced injured Ruturaj Gaikwad midway through the season. Coupled with their poor form, the team has now lost four out of their five home games this season.

CSK has lost matches at home to RCB, DC and SRH, teams that have almost never succeeded in beating the five-time champions at Chepauk. Despite their poor run, Chennai Super Kings’ fans did show up in huge numbers, in support of the team, in their recent defeat to SRH. The home fans applauded for every boundary, every dot ball bowled by a CSK bowler, and every SRH wicket, throughout the match.

Despite the overwhelming support, SRH chased down the modest 155-run target in 18.4 overs, leaving the CSK players and their fans dejected. With the team and the supporters low on morale, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming, speaking after the match, took responsibility of the team and his his failures as well, while also admitting that the Men in Yellow have dissapointed the home crowd, this season.

When we see the amount of yellow that turns up, certainly here at Chepauk, there is a responsibility that we feel and it is a heavy one and to not reward that with performances weighs very heavy on the group.

Stephen Fleming on CSK fans and MS Dhoni (H/T Mint)

While unsurprisingly noting that it is skipper MS Dhoni, whose star power draws more and more fans to the stadium, Fleming exclaimed that the team has not been able to deliver performances worthy of the fans’ support. He even conceded that the particular season has not been a good one for CSK, and noted that the players have fallen short of their ambitions of playing well in front of the Yellow-clad crowd. 

We’re well aware of the support, and it’s not just at home. It extends throughout India. We understand the effect MS Dhoni has with our support.

Stephen Fleming added

Nonetheless, despite the setbacks, Stephen Fleming hoped for his side to bounce back and end the season on a high note. Moreover, the former New Zealand international, who has coached CSK for well over a decade now, noted that the team would gear up for a better 2026 IPL campaign. 

Stephen Fleming heaps praise on young CSK talents, including Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis

Chennai Super Kings have experienced an unwanted run of defeats in their 2025 IPL campaign, as they remain at the bottom of the standings. However, the team has managed to unearth several young talents, two of whom shone in their humiliating five-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

Stephen Fleming Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming praised youngsters Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis. (via ESPN Cricinfo)

CSK head coach Stephen Fleming praised youngsters Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis, following their impressive batting display against SRH, while terming it as an ‘unwanted bonus’. Both Mhatre and Brevis are injury replacements. 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre replaced skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, after the latter suffered a season-ending elbow injury, while South African Dewald Brevis replaced Gurjapneet Singh.

I thought [Dewald] Brevis was excellent today. [Ayush] Mhatre has been refreshing… It’s an unwanted bonus.

CSK head coach Stephen Fleming at a press conference (H/T Mint)

Ayush Mhatre has scored 62 runs in two matches for CSK, at an average of 31 and a brilliant strike rate of 182.35, hitting ten fours and two sixes. Brevis on the other hand, in his debut for the Men in Yellow, scored a decent knock of 42 runs off 25 balls, hitting a four and four sixes.