May 19: Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has thrown his support behind captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, insisting the young skipper still has the confidence of the team despite a difficult IPL 2026 season.
Following another disappointing outing for CSK, Fleming acknowledged that Gaikwad has struggled to produce his best with the bat this year. Still, he made it clear that the franchise remains committed to the opener’s leadership journey.
The former New Zealand captain said taking over from MS Dhoni was never going to be an easy task, especially at a franchise with a legacy and fan expectations as strong as Chennai’s. According to Fleming, Gaikwad has handled the responsibility with maturity and continues to show promising leadership qualities behind the scenes.
CSK have endured an inconsistent campaign so far, leaving their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Alongside the team’s mixed results, Gaikwad’s form at the top of the order has also come under the spotlight.
However, Fleming believes the 29-year-old has the temperament and ability to bounce back, stressing that fluctuations in form are a natural part of T20 cricket.
As the league stage nears its conclusion, Chennai will be hoping both their captain and the team can rediscover momentum at the right time and keep their IPL 2026 hopes alive.