IPL 2022: It was a little bit unlucky – Stephen Fleming on unavailability of DRS

Chennai Super Kings didn’t have the rub of the green on their side as Decision Review System was not available for use in the first two overs against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai due to a power outage. And it took only two balls to have a deep impact on the game when an in-form Devon Conway was hit on the pads by Daniel Sams.

The ball was clearly drifting down the leg-side but umpire C Ravikanthreddy thought otherwise. It was a huge blow as Conway had scored three fifties in the last three matches for CSK.

Subsequently, Jasprit Bumrah plumbed Robin Uthappa in front of the wickets and once again the veteran batter could not challenge the umpire’s call due to the same reason. However, this time it looked like the ball would have crashed into the stumps.

CSK could not find any kind of impetus in their batting innings as they were skittled out for a paltry score of 97 runs, which is their second-lowest in the tournament.

“It was a little bit unlucky that it happened at that time,” Fleming said. “We were a little disappointed, but that’s still part of the game, isn’t it? It sort of set off a chain of events that were not in our favour, but we should be better that than [being bowled out for 97]. It certainly wasn’t a great start.”

In fact, it is well known that the umpiring standards have been below par in the ongoing season of the IPL and the CSK had to face the burnt when DRS was not available.

On the other hand, Fleming was impressed with the way Mukesh Chaudhary and Simarjeet Singh bowled in the PowerPlay overs. Chaudhary took three wickets as he dismissed Ishan Kishan, Daniel Sams, and debutant Tristan Stubbs while Singh got the big fish in Rohit Sharma.

“There are some really positive signs. I thought the new ball bowling of Simerjeet and Mukesh was outstanding. We’ve been developing Mukesh all the way through the season so for him to now feel confident enough to bowl a spell-like that… and Simerjeet is only 3-4 games in and he made some good gains,” Fleming said.

CSK will next take on Gujarat Titans at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.