Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming responded to the replacement of MS Dhoni as CSK captain, stating that talks about the leadership succession plan have involved the legendary skipper for nearly a decade. Fleming addressed this matter on Tuesday, discussing Chennai’s recent additions of talents like Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, and Shardul Thakur, and emphasizing the team’s strategies for transitioning from Dhoni’s captaincy.
We’ve had succession plans for MS for about 10 years,” Fleming remarked with a smile. “It’s a topic of discussion, but he remains as engaged and enthusiastic as ever. As long as that passion for the team and franchise persists, we’ll continue moving forward,” Fleming commented when questioned about Dhoni’s succession plans.
Chennai initially attempted to replace MS Dhoni by appointing Ravindra Jadeja as captain in IPL 2022, right before their opening match. Despite this decision, the five-time champions struggled, languishing at the bottom of the table with only one win in the first seven matches. Ultimately, Dhoni had to step back into the captain’s role. However, the legend led Chennai to victory in 2023, clinching the title by defeating the Gujarat Titans in a rain-affected final held in Ahmedabad.
Fleming also opened up on Daryl Mitchell, a World Cup star acquired by CSK, as a potential replacement for Ben Stokes. Although he downplayed the comparison, Fleming sees potential in Mitchell as an ideal fit for the playing conditions at Chepauk.
“He played just one game, so not massive shoes. Daryl is a different type of player, but his performances over the last 18-24 months have warranted this type of a price. He is an unfashionable player, often goes under the radar. With his ability to play spin he is competitive and he is also a handy bowler. In Chepauk we can slide him into a role. Just like his performances, he fits in nicely and a good buy for us,” he said.