Stephen Fleming is heading back to New Zealand © Getty Images Enlarge

Stephen Fleming, the Chennai Super Kings opener, will not be available for his team's remaining matches as he is heading back to New Zealand for the birth of his child. Chennai have qualified for the IPL semi-finals and will now have to find a replacement opener for Fleming before Saturday.

However the Chennai management have decided not to sign on an overseas player as Fleming's replacement. "We thought about it but there isn't sufficient time to get a new player," VB Chandrashekhar told Cricinfo. "We have Chamara Kapugedera in our ranks and will give him some opportunities instead."

However it is unlikely Kapugedera will play as an opener and Chennai may pick S Vidyut to partner Parthiv Patel at the top of the order.

Fleming turned out for Chennai after Matthew Hayden left for Australia's tour to West Indies at the start of May. In 10 matches, Fleming has scored 196 runs at a strike-rate of 118.78.