In response to MS Dhoni's removal as captain of Chennai Super Kings, coach Stephen Fleming said that the iconic captain has been part in discussions over the leadership succession plan for almost ten years. On Tuesday, Fleming spoke about the situation, highlighting Chennai's plans to replace Dhoni as captain as well as the team's recent additions of players like Shardul Thakur, Daryl Mitchell, and Rachin Ravindra.

For over ten years now, MS has had succession plans in place, Fleming said with a smile. It's a topic of conversation, but his enthusiasm and level of engagement are unwavering. Regarding Dhoni's succession plans, Fleming said, "We'll keep going forward as long as that passion for the team and franchise persists."

Just before their first game in the IPL in 2022, Chennai made an attempt to unseat MS Dhoni by selecting Ravindra Jadeja as captain. The five-time champions faltered in spite of this choice, finishing last in the standings after winning just one in their opening seven games. In the end, Dhoni had to assume the captaincy once more. But in 2023, the legend guided Chennai to glory, when they defeated the Gujarat Titans in a rain-affected final played in Ahmedabad to win the championship.

Fleming also discussed Daryl Mitchell, a World Cup player that CSK had recently signed, as a possible Ben Stokes replacement. Fleming saw potential in Mitchell and felt he was a perfect fit for the playing environment at Chepauk, even if Mitchell played down the resemblance.

"He didn't wear enormous shoes; he only played one game. Although Daryl is a different kind of player, his achievements during the previous 18 to 24 months have made this kind of payment justified. He is an unfashionable player who stays out of the spotlight. In addition to being a skilled bowler, he is competitive due to his ability to play spin. We can fit him into a role in Chepauk. He's a wonderful buy for us and fits in well, just like his performances," he remarked.