Stephen Fleming, the head coach of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), expressed his assessment of the team’s performance after suffering their first defeat at home against Lucknow Super Giants. He highlighted the challenges faced by CSK in finding their ideal team combination due to form issues and the unavailability of key players, even after eight games into the season.
In an attempt to address these challenges, CSK made strategic changes to their lineup, including the decision to bring back Daryl Mitchell and pair captain Ruturaj Gaikwad with Ajinkya Rahane at the top of the batting order. However, the desired output was not achieved as Mitchell fell for 11 runs off 10 balls, and Rahane managed only 1 run off 3 balls.
The lack of success with these changes indicates the ongoing struggle for CSK to find the right balance and combination within their team. Fleming’s assessment suggests that despite efforts to adjust the lineup, CSK continues to face hurdles in maintaining consistency and performance on the field.
“It’s a mixture of trying to find that [combination] and also form,” Fleming stated at his post-match press conference. “We’re a little bit uncomfortable with some areas, so we’re trying to find not a quick fix, but the right combination where players are going to contribute for the back end of this tournament.”
Throughout the tournament, the balance of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team has been affected by injuries to players such as Matheesha Pathirana (hamstring niggle) and Ajinkya Rahane (calf niggle). Additionally, Mustafizur Rahman was absent from CSK’s away game against Sunrisers Hyderabad due to visa-related obligations for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Mustafizur will be available to play for CSK until May 1, after which he will return to Bangladesh for their home series against Zimbabwe. Moreover, Richard Gleeson, the England fast bowler who was brought in as a replacement for Devon Conway, is yet to join the CSK squad.
“We’ve got another change coming up with Mustafizur [leaving] in a couple of games,” Fleming stated. “So, we’re just trying to prepare and get a side that will give us the run home. We’ve had injuries, we’ve been a little bit unsettled, but the main thing is getting guys in key areas and in form. That sometimes takes a bit of time. Yes, there has been more change; some were forced upon us and some of it is form.”
Mitchell, for whom CSK invested INR 14 crore at the auction, has struggled to make an impact with only 146 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 123.72. His batting across four different positions in these seven innings has added to the challenge. However, CSK’s coach Stephen Fleming remains optimistic about Mitchell’s potential success, especially if he settles into the No.3 position, where he has previously performed well for New Zealand.
“There’s a lot of pressure obviously,” Fleming stated. “Getting up the order is more comfortable for him. Me putting him down the order in the hitting role wasn’t his best position. So, we’ve looked to rectify that and get him up the order where he has had his best performances internationally. That might take a little bit of time, but the top three need to contribute the majority of runs.”
“Ruturaj did that today, so hopefully he can continue his form and the others can pick that up… We’re not firing on all cylinders by any means but we’re in each game and we’re asking teams to play well to beat us. We just got to get a little bit better.”
The pitches in Chennai this season have deviated from their traditionally spin-friendly nature, thereby neutralizing one of Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) main strengths. In the recent match, where dew made conditions more favorable for batting, spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali were limited to bowling just two overs each. CSK’s spinners have collectively secured only four wickets across four home games, while the fast bowlers have been far more successful, claiming a total of 22 wickets in those matches.
“There’s not much assistance, we’ve had one pitch, which turned, and we won comfortably,” Fleming stated. “Yeah, I would like more synergy between the pitch and what we’re trying to do. I unashamedly say that; it’s your home ground and you have to defend and pick teams accordingly. So, when it’s out of sync, you find it very difficult, so it’s not quite right yet.”
“But we just have to be good enough to play on what’s in front of us. So, while you can moan off the field and love to have a little bit different, it’s not the case and we just have to make sure we’re good enough to win and we have been. Again, today, we created a chance. It’s not like we’re down and out, but we know we could be stronger, if conditions are a little bit different.”
As CSK prepares for their upcoming match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday, all eyes will be on the Chepauk conditions once again. While CSK boasts depth in their spin attack, Sunrisers Hyderabad are facing challenges with Wanindu Hasaranga absent and their Indian legspinner Mayank Markande conceding runs at a rate of 11.42 per over, making it the third-worst economy rate among bowlers who have bowled at least 15 overs this season. Notably, Sunrisers Hyderabad have never managed to defeat CSK in Chennai in their four previous attempts.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a health advice. We would ask you to consult a qualified professional or medical expert to gain additional knowledge before you choose to consume any product or perform any exercise.
