IPL 2024: CSK still trying to find its best combination, says Stephen Fleming

Chennai Super Kings captain Stephen Fleming admitted they are still trying to find their best combination after their six-wicket loss against Lucknow Super Giants at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Tuesday. The defending champions posted 210 runs on the board but LSG chased down the highest score at the venue.

With batters like Ajinkya Rahane, Daryl Mitchell, and Rachin Ravindra not finding their top form, there has been constant chop and change in the team’s top order.

“It’s a mix of trying to find that [the best XI], and also a bit of form. We are little bit uncomfortable with some areas, so we’re just trying to find not a quick fix but try and find the right combination,” said Fleming after their game against Lucknow Super Giants on April 23.

“And who are the players that are going to contribute in the back-end of the tournament the most, we’ve got another change coming up with Mustafizur in a couple of games. So we’re just trying to prepare a side that will give us a run home. We have had injuries, we have been a little bit unsettled. But main thing is getting guys in key areas and in form. And sometimes that will take a bit of time. Yeah, there has been some change – some of it has been forced upon us and some of it has been form,” he said.

Meanwhile, Daryl Mitchell was sent at one down against Lucknow Super Giants but he was dismissed after scoring 11 runs by Yash Thakur. Mitchell was earlier given his chances in the middle-order but he could not grab them with both hands.

“There’s a lot of pressure obviously. But getting him [Mitchell] up the order is more comfortable for him I think, or me putting him down the order in a hitting role wasn’t his best position. So we’re looking to redefine that and put him up the order where his best performances have been internationally. And that might take a little bit of time. But certainly, the top three need to contribute the majority of the runs. Ruturaj did that today, so hopefully if he can continue his form and the other guys can pick that up…we’re in each game, we’re not firing in all cylinders in any means but we’re in each game,” said Fleming.

Fleming feels the spinners haven’t got the pitch support at Chennai because of dew conditions and thus they haven’t been able to make the most of their home conditions.

“We’ve had one pitch which was an excellent one I think, it turned and we won comfortably. Yeah, I’d like more synergy between the pitch and what we’re trying to do. And I’d unashamedly say that it’s your home ground, you got to defend and you pick teams accordingly. So when it’s out of sync, you find it very difficult. It’s not quite right yet but you just got to be good enough to play what’s in front of you. We know that we can be stronger if conditions were a little bit different.

“If you look at that we’ve got spinners in the side, Theekshana as well. But it nullifies that when there’s nothing really going on and then there’s the dew as well makes it very difficult. We can wish for it, but if we don’t get it we just have to get on with it. So that’s what we’re doing. But it does take a key component out of our attack. We’ve got Pathirana who’s a weapon, Fiz has done well when it’s slow but the spin department has been made redundant and I’d love it to change,” he added.

Chennai Super Kings will next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday.