Stephen-Flemings-Blunt-Assessment-of-CSKs-IPL-2025-FailureFitting That We Are Bottom": Stephen Fleming's Unsparing Take on CSK's IPL 2025

 

In a straight and brutally honest take on the Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) woeful IPL 2025 campaign, head coach Stephen Fleming said it was "probably fitting that we're at the bottom" of the points table.

Many five-time champions are usually at the top of the tables with numerous titles, most likely to finish at the very bottom in 2025—an unusual and painful view for their faithful fans. 

 

Fleming Blames Misfiring Top Order for CSK's Bottom-Table Finish

 

Fleming spoke to the media afterward about CSK's six-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals in their penultimate IPL match - and did not deny how badly CSK performed. "No, we don't obviously like being down here, but it's not a motivation.

We wanted just a good performance; we wanted to, like, just have some performances strung together," he said regarding the team's inability to find much rhythm/consistency.

Fleming was direct when asked about the team's struggles, pointing to a misfiring top-order batting group. "We've not got (our order) right at this stage, which is something we are always looking to rejig," he said. Fleming emphasized that the lack of real runs from the top has meant putting patches on things rather than constructing innings.

 

Glimmers of Hope: Fleming Praises Young Pacer Anshul Kamboj's Potential

 

"A lot of those guys have batting positions based on how hard of a start we have, and then guys can fall into line. We haven't had that. So we've just been patching innings up, really, rather than constructing good innings," he said.

The coach did provide some glimmers of hope, praising the development of young Indian seamer Anshul Kamboj. Kamboj impressed with his consistent speed and unassuming bounce and was selected for India A for their tour of England.

Fleming believes Kamboj has the potential to become quite a player in the future if he continues bowling at 138-139 kph and can get an effective length and wobble with the ball, especially on good surfaces in England.

 

Looking Ahead: Fleming Hints at Major Rebuild for CSK's Next Season

 

Moving forward, Fleming expressed his confidence that even with the situation as it is, there are "good ideas for next year." He implied there will be a thorough review as well as a strategic way forward to rectify the issues that caused their 2025 campaign to crumble.

The defeat to Rajasthan Royals resulted in CSK finishing at the bottom of the table, and it was an indication of a season that was below par for five-time champions. The attention must now turn to rebuilding and having a credible response in the next edition of the Indian Premier League.