🏏 Fleming Admits CSK Slow to Evolve in T20 Shift

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Key Takeaways

1📊 CSK splurges INR 14.2cr each on Veer (20) & Sharma (19)
2🏆 Ends 'Dad's Army' era after 2025 last place
3💡 Fleming: 'Slow to evolve' post-Brevis/Mhatre impact
4🔮 IPL 2026 youth powerplay push for top-four
5💬 'Sharpest turn towards future' – Fleming (Cricbuzz 2026)

"Heavy investments in uncapped youngsters at the IPL 2026 auction underline CSK's reassessment of long-held beliefs"

Stephen Fleming conceded Chennai Super Kings were 'a little slow' adapting to T20's evolution, marking a youth pivot at IPL 2026 auction. Signing uncapped Prashant Veer (20) and Kartik Sharma (19) for record INR 14.2 crore each shuns 'Dad's Army' tag. Post-2025 wooden spoon, this signals rebuild. Abu Dhabi bids underline CSK's sharp turn towards future stars. (72 words)

Five-time champions CSK clung to veterans, but IPL 2025's mid-season injections of Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, and Urvil Patel sparked top-order revival. Finishing last exposed strike-rate gaps (120 avg vs rivals' 145). Fleming's admission reflects data-driven shift, mirroring Mumbai Indians' 2022 youth surge. Auction splurge on teens—Veer's 180 SR in domestics—heralds new era. (78 words)

Auction Revolution: Youth Stats Explode

Veer (45 LSGs, 175 SR) and Sharma (U19 star, 200+ SR) boast metrics rivaling ** Yashasvi Jaiswal**'s breakout. CSK's INR 28.4 crore outlay tops uncapped records, post-2025's veteran average age 32. Fleming eyes powerplay aggression, countering dew with pace-off spin. Historically, youth hauls like RCB's 2016 bets yielded playoffs. (82 words)

IPL 2026 Rebuild Ramifications

CSK targets top-four, blending MS Dhoni wisdom with fresh legs. Rivals like Delhi Capitals accelerated earlier; CSK's lag cost 2025. Success hinges on Veer/Sharma delivering 150+ SR, reshaping auction dynamics. (62 words)