RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesIndia captain who conquered Test series in Australia gives verdict on England coach Stephen Fleming before Ashes 2027 originally appeared on Cricket News .
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Ajinkya Rahane has praised England's new Test coach Stephen Fleming ahead of the 2027 Ashes.
Rahane played under Fleming at Chennai Super Kings , winning the IPL 2023 title.
He credited the coach for the freedom and security he gave players.
Ajinkya Rahane gives verdict on England coach Stephen Fleming
Ajinkya Rahane knows a thing or two about thriving under pressure, having famously led a depleted India to a historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in Australia in 2020-21. Now the veteran has offered a glowing verdict on Stephen Fleming, the man tasked with reviving England's Test fortunes ahead of the 2027 Ashes.
Fleming was appointed England's red-ball head coach in July, succeeding Brendon McCullum, after an enormously successful spell in charge of Chennai Super Kings. Rahane spent time at the franchise under the New Zealander and was part of the squad that lifted the IPL title in 2023.
That first-hand experience lends particular weight to Rahane's assessment, especially as England begins a new era under Fleming and the reinstated captain, Joe Root. The Indian batter was unequivocal about the environment his former coach fostered.
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Rahane hails the Fleming factor
Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast , Rahane reflected warmly on his time working under the England coach. He said, "I really enjoyed playing under Fleming. Those two years with CSK was really good. From a player's point of view, the freedom what we got, the freedom because when you fail, the insecurity is always there as a player."
He went on to explain how Fleming's approach helped players perform without fear. Rahane said, "You always want to play each and every game but that platform provided by the franchisee and the coaching staff, that even if you fail, you go out there and play your game. I thought it was that, so I really enjoyed playing for CSK and under Stephen Fleming."
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A ringing endorsement before a defining assignment
There is genuine insight in Rahane's words that England supporters may find encouraging. The freedom he describes, the sense of security that lets players express themselves through failure, is precisely the culture that underpinned England's best cricket under McCullum, which suggests Fleming may prove a natural fit rather than a jarring change of direction.
The real test, of course, will be whether Fleming can translate franchise success into the unforgiving arena of Test cricket against Australia. Winning five IPL titles is a formidable achievement, but the Ashes is a different beast entirely, and the pressures of an England-Australia series dwarf anything the T20 circuit throws up.
If Rahane's account is any guide, though, Fleming will at least create an environment in which England's talented but fragile side can play without fear, and that alone may prove half the battle before 2027.
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