IPL 2021: We are very much a Chennai-based team – Stephen Fleming

Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming believes it is going to be a challenge for his team to savour success at the batting paradise of Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. CSK lost their opening match of the season against Delhi Capitals by seven wickets and their bowlers were not able to come up with a collective effort.

Chennai is acclimatized to play in spin-friendly conditions and their bowlers were at sea while bowling at the Wankhede Stadium. Fleming understands that his team will need to pull up their socks at Mumbai.

In fact, Chennai needs to play four more matches at Wankhede Stadium before they will shift base to Delhi. Fleming feels his team will take some time to get used to the conditions in Mumbai and they should be able to come up with a better bowling performance in the coming matches.

“We will learn a lot from being here for another four games. But don’t underestimate how much it takes to change the philosophy of a side. We are very much a Chennai-based side. We saw Mumbai struggle to a degree in Chennai the other night. They have got a challenge on how to change their tactics in Chennai, and our tactics have to be a little bit better with the ball in Mumbai. So, it’s one of the quirks of this competition in this Covid-19 age, and we just have to find a way. It’s going to be high-scoring games in Mumbai, and toss might play a crucial role,” Stephen Fleming said in the post-match press conference. 

As no team will get the home advantage in this season of the IPL, it is going to be a challenge for MS Dhoni’s team to deliver the goods at Wankhede.

CSK bowlers had struggled to get going in Wankhede and hopeful they will bounce back after learning from their mistake. Dhoni is known to get the best out of his players and the team will look to come up with a better performance.

On the other hand, one positive for CSK in their first match was the return of Suresh Raina. The southpaw, who was playing after a long hiatus, was able to hit the ground running and scored a 36-ball 54. Fleming added it was an outstanding knock from the experienced campaigner.

“It’s (Raina’s form) really good, considering the cricket and where he has come from. It was an outstanding innings. We put Moeen Ali up as an aggressor and also used Suresh’s aggressive role to get to play some cricket and find some form. But after playing 2-3 shots, he really got going. It’s a really positive sign for us,” Stephen Fleming added.

The Men in Yellow will play their next match against Punjab Kings at Wankhede, Mumbai on 16th April.