In a surprising development, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has responded with a sharp dismissal to criticism levelled against his team on Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube channel following their loss to Delhi Capitals (DC) on Saturday.
During the post-match press conference at the iconic Chepauk Stadium, Fleming seemed taken aback when questioned about comments featuring on Ashwin’s platform. His unawareness of the existence of Ashwin’s YouTube channel added an unexpected twist to the narrative. ‘I have no idea. I didn’t even know he had a channel, so I don’t follow that stuff. That’s irrelevant,’ Fleming stated with calm dismissal.
The controversy was sparked by a video on Ashwin’s channel where former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) analyst Prasanna Agoram, better known as Pdogg, critiqued CSK’s selection choices. Pdogg specifically questioned the team’s decision to field Afghanistan’s young spinner Noor Ahmad over seasoned campaigners like Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin himself. The video, which has since been removed, ignited a flurry of speculation and discussion among cricket enthusiasts and media alike.
The incident comes at a challenging juncture for CSK, who faced their third consecutive defeat in the IPL 2025 season. The loss to DC by 25 runs marked a historic moment as it was CSK’s first home defeat to DC in 15 years. This victory propelled DC to the top of the points table, intensifying the pressure on CSK as they navigate the mid-table scramble.
Despite a solid start by DC, bolstered by a composed 77 from KL Rahul and a powerful finish by Tristan Stubbs, CSK struggled in their chase. Key players such as Devon Conway, Shivam Dube, and Jadeja failed to make significant contributions, while a late cameo from the legendary MS Dhoni was not enough to salvage the innings.
As CSK grapples with questions surrounding their team selection and overall performance, Fleming’s dismissive response underscores the team’s determination to remain focused on their on-field efforts rather than being swayed by external critiques. This stance reflects a broader strategy to maintain team morale and concentration amidst the high-stakes environment of the IPL.