The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has already ended with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) crowned as champions once again. With the players and focus returning to international cricket, there have been talks and trades ongoing during the off-season. Recently, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) sacked their head coach Stephen Fleming, and a former South Africa pacer, Dale Steyn, was asked about taking the role.
After the span of 18 seasons, Fleming was sacked from the head coach role. He was an amazing coach for the franchise, and not only for CSK; he was also removed from the other sister franchise owned by the management. He was the longest-serving coach in IPL history; no other coach has served or will be able to serve one franchise for such a long time.
Dale Steyn interested in taking CSK’s head coach role
A fan, while tweeting on X (formerly Twitter), asked Dale Steyn if he is interested in taking up the head coach role if the franchise offers. Steyn, while replying to the fan, stated that he would possibly consider taking up the role. The former Proteas pacer has experience coaching in the IPL and other franchise leagues in the world.
A fan asked Dale Steyn on possibly taking up the head coach role of CSK, “If CSK contacts you, will you consider that offer?” Steyn replied, “Yes possibly.”
After that, he also stated, “Sorry guys I can’t answer everyone, I did a few but I’m really man down so I’m going to head off now, we’ll do this again soon. Keep well, chat soon.”
Dale Steyn’s record as coach
Dale Steyn has had coaching experience in the IPL with the franchise he has played for; he was the bowling coach of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) from 2022-2024, and under him the bowling department did well as they qualified for the final in 2024, eventually losing out to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Under Steyn, Umran Malik had a breakout performance under his direct mentorship as he, in 2022 under Steyn’s guidance, clocked speeds above 150 km/h and bagged 22 wickets in 14 matches. Apart from coaching in the IPL, he was also the coach of the sister franchise named Sunrisers Eastern Cape in SA20 and Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket (MLC).
Stephen Fleming’s record as CSK’s head coach
As a coach of CSK, Stephen Fleming earned them five IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023). Including the Champions League T20 and reached 11 major global T20 finals, winning 7 total championships during their 18-year tenure with the franchise.
The partnership of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Fleming did not have the best outcome, as after Gaikwad was appointed as the skipper in 2024 and post then the Men in Yellow have failed to qualify for the playoffs in the three consecutive seasons.
If Steyn takes up the new head coach role, it will be his first assignment as the head coach, as previously he has never managed a franchise or a side as a head coach. He will be under huge pressure as CSK have a huge fan base.
